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| I'm trying very hard to be diligent about pre-washing fabrics...to be honest, that hasn't always happened, but after reading about the joanne fabric shrinkage expereince that was posted, I don't want to take a chance...my stash has been cleansed. I'm washing all the cotton fabrics in cold water with woolite and then throw them in the dryer. I use a half a dryer sheet for fabric softner...just wondered how everyone is doing their prewash process?
Also after it's all quilted, do you always wash?
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Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by magothyrivergirl (My Page) on Thu, Aug 23, 12 at 20:55
| I do prewash (and recommend) prewashing cotton fabric in hotter water than I would use to wash a quilt. I do wash like colors together. I throw in a color catcher. I want whatever is going to happen to happen before it gets sewn into a quilt. I also dry on med hot. It is 100% cotton - it should be able to withstand hot water. I use regular detergent. The recipient is going to use regular detergent. I do not use dryer sheets or fabric softener - don't use them on my clothing - I am washing the fabric to remove the sizing and whatever is on it, No need to add it back in. On long pieces, I baste the short ends (WOF) to avoid the twisting mess. If it is 2 yards or longer, I will randomly baste the long edges (selvages) a few stitches every foot. I also prewash Fat Quarters and short pieces in a bowl in the sink - hot water. Blot excess on a white towel. Again, I want the dye or fading to occur before it is used. I am diligent about prewashing. Always have been since I was a young girl sewing - before dryers. I am not a fan of Woolite. Many do not prewash. Yes, I wash my finished quilts. I wash them on warm, gentle, use Dreft, dry on medium - remove from dryer when slightly damp - block if necessary - laying on the floor on a sheet to finish drying. |
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| I don't usually prewash. I have recieved so many blocks from quilters, and have never known what was pre-washed or not, that I just gave it up. I always wash my finished quilts in warm with a few color-catchers in the wash. I dry on medium to high. I like the differential shrinkage and the "puff" that happens when a quilt is washed. I don't expect my quilts to be babied by the recipient, and I certainly don't want to do it to the ones I keep. You will get so many answers to this question - but in the end, you need to do what works for you. |
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| That's a good question and sure to bring out a variety of opinions. I almost never pre-wash and now that I've gotten into jelly rolls and charm packs I wouldn't even consider it. Like Mary C, I wash once the quilt is done and use a color catcher in the wash. I know partly it's luck, but I've never had a problem. My own quilts are washed, often in hot water because of the dogs and cats, and machine dried. It works for me. Kate |
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| Please take note that the fabric that shrunk so badly was unbleached muslin. I've never had a problem before because I've always pre-washed all fabric as soon as it came in the door. But on this particular occasion, since the bolt actually had "preshrunk" on it, I took a chance with it. This was a whole bolt of muslin that I bought because it was on sale. So since I always pre-wash I have no idea if the regular quilting cotton at Joann's will shrink or not, but I just don't take the chance. I also wash all quilts after they are complete, regular soap, warm water, regular dryer cycle. I've never had a problem with them. |
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- Posted by magothyrivergirl (My Page) on Fri, Aug 24, 12 at 9:17
| I like Bali Pops, and cannot prewash them. If I have to pair them with a contrasting fabric, I am afraid to use white or cream, because of the dyes---just haven't gotten brave enough the color catchers will catch all the fugitive dyes! I think my HE front load washer makes the issue much-much worse because of the lack of water and the way the fabric, quilt is always laying on itself. Water supply is also a factor. We have so many decisions to make! We are so lucky to be able to share our experiences here with such knowledgeable people! |
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- Posted by littlehelen (My Page) on Fri, Aug 24, 12 at 12:07
| Ritaweed...yes, yours is the story I recall that got me started on washing my stash! Everything is so clean now. Thks for the story... Sorry for your result. Btw I purchased that same muslim , but hadn't used it yet. MRG: you are more diligent than I will ever be or could be... Way to go |
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