Wash or not wash

[TooMuchFabric]

I am in a dilemma. I have always washed fabric before using it but have recently read that is not necessary. What do you do?

Thanks,
Jo Ann

[quilterbee]

I'm not a washer, but I only use shop quality fabs. I've never ever had any issues. I always throw my finished quilt in a hot washer and dryer as soon as I'm done to give it that vintage-y wrinkled look. So, no I don't ever prewash. Amie )

[CaroleJ]

I'm a washer...I like the softer feel of washed fabrics.

You'll probably get a lot of different opinions on this one...LOL

[khowardquilts]

I always wash mine, because it comes from so many sources. I had one fabric that I so wanted to use in a quilt, but the color wasn't stable and it appeared to be good quality fabric. It has been put aside with some iffy or stained fabric that I may put together for a quilt.

[Quilter7]

Although I use shop quality fabrics I wash my fabric first. There are several reasons this is advisible. One, to remove excess dyes in the fabric. (I use Retanye to set colors). Two, to remove the chemicals. Some people are very sensitive to the chemicals used in the dye process. Three, if it is going to shrink I want it to do so before I sew it. Not all fabric shrinks at the same rate, it is a rare quilt I make that I use all the same manufacturer. I still wash my quilts when they are finished and they still shrink up and look antique. I believe that it is a good idea to wash fabric prior to sewing.

I also believe in tearing the fabric to find the straight of grain. Before washing I pink both cut ends, before pressing I tear one cut end, use spray on sizing then press. When I am ready to cut I know the side I will be cutting is torn. I give it a straight cut and I am then ready to cut fabric on the straight of grain.

[Cathy32078]

Jo Ann I was one to not wash my fabrics if they were all pastels. But.... batiks I have used (only 3) even pastels, have bled. So I do wash and treat those with Retayne. All Reds and Med to Dk Blues, Med to Dk Purples & Greens also get treated and washed. So with that, the other fabrics going into those quilts get washed due to shrinkage factor. And I am talking Quilt Shop expensive fabric. I just paid $11.97 a yd for a special quilt top not long ago and had to have 2 yds of a certain Red and it bled a lot. Sure glad I tested it! So I am going to just bite the bullet and start washing all of mine from here on out unless it is all really pastel colors.

[institcheswithrosie]

I'm not a washer, either. If I think something may bleed, I check a small strip w/ warm water and a piece of cotton.

[BarbieJean]

I am not a washer. There are sheets you can put in the washer to grap the dye if it bleeds and I use those when I wash a quilt that I am afraid will bleed. They work very well.

[lucieshouses]

I only use quilt shop quality fabric. I've never had a problem with shrinking. I wash darks colors, especially red and black. It's easier to sew fabric that hasn't been distorted by washing. IMHO, Lucie

[GrandmaTaz]

I'm a washer. Even with the best of the quality fabric they can bleed. I have many allergies and sometimes the dyes in them bother me and or the smells.

The less expensive fabrics you really need to wash and to have a little more fabric than required. It shrinks more. That happens sometimes with JoAnns fabric ( and I like their fabrics too). I especially have a problem with their fleece. Where ever they get it from or the package it comes has a terrible smell and it also makes my skin itch. So I usually wash it twice.