Quilt in a Day Forums

Hi again, so still working on this MIL sunbonnet quilt. I finally picked out my sashing colors, but now I don't know if I should wash them or not.

The blocks are I-dont-know-how-old on off white muslin, torn into ~12.5" squares. I figured I'd square them up (any suggestions for that w/ out a huge square up ruler?)

Anyway, I *always* wash my fabrics before using, but in this case don't know if these squares were were made w/ pre-washed fabrics or not...is there a certian way things used to be done that I don't know about? These are JoAnns fabrics 'cause that's just where I shop. Nothing special.

What do you think?

-Anna

Anna, you can do the "hand wash in the machine" method. Fill the washer with warm water...add a *little bit* of detergent. Agitate the pieces through the water using your hands for a few minutes. Let the water drain out (letting it spin is okay, you just don't want the agitator going). Refill the washer, swish the pieces around to rinse them, then you can spin them down again.

I'd hang them to dry, or lay them flat. Probably a good idea to use a press cloth as well, to avoid any marks on the older fabric.

This should take care of any possible shrinkage or bleeding of colors.

Sorry, Carole...I guess I don't know if I should wash the fabric I got at the store, I don't think I want to wash the squares.

Anna-as a rule of thumb I do wash fabrics from JoAnns simply because they carry so many different lines that I am never sure if they will shrink. since you will be sewing it next to older fabric I really think I would wash it just to make sure that it doesn't shrink or bleed.

Without a 12.5 square ruler you can make a paper pattern 12.5 square using tissue paper so that you can see through it and treat it like a garment pattern

You could just use the markings on the cutting mat to square them up. And I really would wash any fabrics that you purchased to use with your squares...it's possible that the fabric that was used for the squares was not new to start with.

Joanne:0)

I bought all my material at Joann's it was all the same name (calico keepsake) will it all reacte the same when I wash it.

I DO THE SAME AS CAROLEJ. EASIEST FOR ME AND QUICKEST.