Pre washing fabric

[Momunit]

Im starting my third quilt and decided to take a class since everything I've learned is out of books or off the Internet. The instructor gave me my list and said to not prewash the fabric. I cut it out today and now I'm wondering if I should have washed it. I've never not pre washed fabric (unless I'm making something out of silk). I just did a test run on my previous quilt and washed it. I guess it has the antique look now. My question is...to wash or not to wash? I'm still puzzled on the whole thing. I'm not sure if I had prewashed my batting how much different it would look. Is it really just a preference thing? Any info would be helpful!

[bampish]

I usualy don't prewash, unless I have to for a swap/share. Most of the things I make are small or going on a wall, and don't really get washed.

I like the feel of the sizing in the fabric.

I did prewash for the big quilt I am making, but it's only my second actual bed quilt I have made. I wanted to make sure the colors wouldn't run on it, and do plan to use it and will wash it once in a while.

So I guess it depends on what your projects are for, what your preferences are, and I think some colors run worse than others.

[auntjana]

With me - the color of the fabrics tell me if I am going to pre-wash them or not - I fill up my kitchen sink - it happens to be white with cold water and slip in each piece of fabric - one at a time to see if they bleed or not. The color of the water tells me - then I just toss them in the dryer.

To bring back that nice sizing feel - I spray starch the fabrics before I use them.

So not all of my fabrics are pre-washed - just the ones that need it.

I have worked in fabric stores and can feel the fabric if it is overdyed - stiff and looks too saturated with color - I really pay attention to those.

If you slip and think that a color may run on you from not pre-washing - always use one of those color catchers sheets that are now made. They really work!

Jana

[Ann74]

I learned to quilt using Eleanor's books. She recommended washing fabrics. When I purchased a new Bernina sewing machine, I took a sewing class at my Bernina store. They sold Hobbs Polyester Down-like batting which they recommended. I was told to wash my fabric before cutting which I did. My quilts do not get that wrinkled antique look when laundered and I do them in my washer and toss them in my dryer. Lately I am having a difficult time finding this batting. I discovered it at Connecting Threads. I have never washed batting before quilting with it. I do not care for the "antique look" even one little bit. The only fabric I do not wash first is what is in kits, since they are usually cut in small pieces. I do serge my fabric edges or zig zag them before washing, but I even wash my fat quarters. Smaller pieces than this do not work--they fray and shrink too much. The only things I use the Warm and Natural type batting for are wall hangings, table covers, and placemats. They do get the antique look when laundered--I've found nothing I can do about that. I, am often tempted not to wash fabrics, but have not had pleasing results when I washed placemats, table runners, etc. I hope I have helped you a little.

[slicksister]

Ok, I'm confused by this. I've just started quilting. I'm using a Jelly Roll to make a table runner. I've got the front all pieced and I'm wondering if I should pre-wash it now that is is all sewn together? The reason I am asking is that this - I should pre-wash the backing piece of fabric as it is a large piece of fabric. So if that IS pre-washed and the pieced front isn't, will the front shrink the first time it is washed and then ruin the table runner?

[Nadine2007]

I was taught if you wash one piece then you should wash it all. I sew so much I don't have time to wash all of it anymore. I haven't had any problems with my quilts and they don't wrinkle very much. I use airtex batting I also use the fairfield 50/50 batting it's 50 cotton and 50 poly it's a thin batting.

[cindyg]

I always always always wash my fabrics. They don't even make it back to my sewing studio until they are washed. Before I cut, I use Mary Ellen's Best Press and iron the fabric. If you ever put a lot of time, effort and money into a quilt only to have it run and ruin when you wash it it is sickening. So not only do I wash my fabric but sometimes they get a vinegar soak especially reds, dark greens, blue, purple, etc. I also wash because I don't want to be handling and breathing the chemicals that are on the unwashed fabric. I have even washed packages of charm squares before using them. I hand washed them in the kitchen sink and then rolled them in a towel to get the excess moisture out and then laid them out all over the kitchen to dry.

I have to say this: things have changed a lot since I first started quilting. We don't have to worry these days about fabric bleeding now that we have Color Catchers. Now, when I use charm squares or jelly rolls, I don't wash until the quilt is done and I throw a couple of Color Catchers in the wash.

[kenfaw]

I have washed all the fabric, small pieces in the sink and iron dry for fear of shrinking. Everything I have been told till now has been to wash. Also sizing in fabric and clothing makes me itch. My aunt a chemistry teacher told me some of the sizing is actually formaldeyhde, don't want that on me. I have tried everything to prevent fraying, sewing the edges, cutting small pieces from corner, using ultra delicate cycle on washer and nothing helps. Saw on an old Fons and Porter show a suggestion by a viewer to use pinking shears on the edges, guess that will be my next trial. Off to the store again. BUT I took a hand piecing applique class this past Sunday and the instructor said she never washes her fabric and she never washes her quilts. I did not get the chance to ask tho she said she give her quilts to her grand kids. Bet their moms have to wash them. She also said since she uses batiks for most of her applique she is afraid they will bleed.

[seleyrn]

I have prewashed and not prewashed. I do not see much difference in the results. I do like the puckered look of a quilt, so mostly I DO NOT prewash, to get that small amount of shrinkage that gives me that look. If I am using a fabric that looks like it may bleed then I will wash that, but otherwise, I do not wash.

[ollie1shoe]

when i pre wash i always take my rotory cutter and put the scalloped blade in it i will look like you used pinking shears on it but much easier using the rotary cutter and you want have the fraying problem