washing fabric before use

[rainbowjangles]

Does anyone do this? Pros and Cons?

[MainelyMe]

I started out ALWAYS washing the fabric first, because the people teaching me told me to. I still do the majority of the time because I worry about shrinkage and color coming out onto the other fabrics. I don't wash small pieces though, like 5 inch squares. Those are that size usually for a pattern, and if I washed them they might not be any more. Crazy I know, but that's what I do.
Joan

[purrfect-lady]

I always pre-wash my fabric. Even if it's just swishing little pieces in the sink for a bit. I've found I'm sensitive to the sizing so I need to wash it out. Plus I want to make sure there's no fading, bleeding, or shrinking. Since all my stash is washed, I want any new fabrics I might use in a project to be the same. But I think it's a matter of personal choice.

[Suzquilts]

I agree with Joan - I'll pre-wash anything going into a quilt, no matter the size or use. However, if I'm making a tote, or anything or than a quilt, typically I don't pre-wash.

Susan

[rainbowjangles]

Thank You, I think I will start prewashing, if you have several yards of one fabric. Do you think it would be better to cut it into yard pieces?

[QIAD-Linda]

For me, it depends on the grade of fabric I am using. I used to wash every fabric before use but Eleanor told me that she never washes her fabrics first. Now unless a fabric is of questionable quality, I do not wash my fabrics.

[purrfect-lady]

I'm not sure why you would want to cut your larger fabrics into yard pieces. You could be incurring a lot of waste doing that. I ALWAYS keep my fabric pieces intact until I need them, and if I have matching scraps, I fold them into the larger piece so it's all together.

[rainbowjangles]

Thank You! Qiad-Linda, I will be taking yours and Eleanors advice.

[Nadine2007]

I never wash my fabric I just don't have the time. I do however usually wash the red fabric just so it doesn't run. I just used a red moda fabric and it didn't run at all. I also wash my flannel fabrics they shrink about 3" sometimes I use them for the backing.

[cindyg]

I'm a washer. No fabric goes back to my sewing hole until it's washed. I recently inherited some bolts of fabric. I cut (tore) these into 4 or 5 yd. pieces. I use Color Catchers when I wash the fabrics and the Color Catcher never comes out white. Something always bleeds a bit, and I only buy $12 - $14/yd. fabrics. This doesn't happen so much with pastels but I wash them anyway just because I don't want to be handling all the dyes and chemicals. I iron my fabrics just before cutting and I use Mary Ellen's Best Press which gives the fabric some body.