I've always pre-washed my fabrics before using them... a gentle hand wash & low heat press.
I know that sometimes it's not possible (like with charm squares)... but I'm talking bigger pieces.... I have saved myself some heartache occasionally by pre-washing, in finding that some fabrics are not colour-fast. Mostly it just seems to wash away the 'new fabric smell' & the stiffness some fabrics have when they are new...
I'm curious about what other people do... so please... tell me... DO YOU wash your fabrics before using them??
9 comments:
I don't generally.... but I do prewash dark colours... especially reds... so far no problems except with embroidery floss!! If I do prewash when I press I give a spray of starch to get that little bit of stiffness back.
Hugz
My mother and I wash everything with the exception of pre-cuts. I have only done two quilt tops with a batch of pre-cuts so have no idea how it will react in the washing process. All those fat quarter I got were washed the day I brought them home lol so there would be no confusion. If you miss that new stiff feeling just press them using "crisp" starch. I heard somewhere not to use it until the fabric is needed as the starch can attract moths etc.
I prewash my bigger pieces - fat quarter and up. I haven't had colour runs, but I have finished a whole quilt and loved it, put it through a gentle wash and the whole thing shrank and went all wobbly. People say that is a wonderful look, but I don't like it, so that's why I prewash. With quilts made of precuts, I will gently wash once the quilt top is put together, pplus I often prewash the wadding as well.
Hi Anthea i used to wash everything but i hate how i cant iron all the creases out and i mentioned it to someone just recently and they said there is no need to do that know as the quality of the cottons now are so good,so i am not going to wash now as i love that new look when you make something.xx
I don't pre-wash any of my fabric!
I used to wash but don't now...........I only wash something i think may run to check it.........
Never.....and I have never had a problem....(yet)...LOL...
I rarely prewash...too keen to get started! Many years ago I had a red that ran through a cream quilt and totally ruined it...not good, but I still find little problem with modern dying methods. If there is something I feel concerned about I will wash, but that rearely happens. Good luck!
WOW interesting post Anthea and most interesting reading everyones comments. Yes I do prewash and have recently purchased some charm sqaures and jelly roles and was wondering what to do. After reading some comments above, I may not pre wash anymore except for reds.
Post a Comment