Why is it sop important to wash the fabric for quilting before you cut it?
2006-06-23 17:11:29 · 13 answers · asked by ashleyg 1 in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
There are two schools of thought on this. I personally do NOT prewash my fabric before making a quilt, and many people, including professional quilters, also do not. Others (including other professional quilters) insist on prewashing every piece of fabric.
If you have a dark or bright color, especially red or purple, or if the fabric is hand dyed or a batik, you should test it for color fastness. Blot with a piece of damp white cotton and see if it picks up any color. Or you can cut a piece and put it in a small dish of water with some liquid soap. If the water discolors, you should prewash. The better quality quilting fabrics are less likely to transfer color, except batiks, which are still prone to color transfer. If you don't prewash, I recommend throwing in a Shout Color Catcher when you wash it the first time, just in case.
As far as shrinking goes, it depends on what you like. As long as you use similar quality fabrics with the same composition (100% cotton, for example), you can piece, quilt and bind the whole thing before washing and it will shrink evenly. It will also pucker slightly, giving that old fashioned look. If you don't like the old fashioned look and want a smoother quilt, then by all means, pre-wash your fabric.
It's a good idea NOT to mix prewashed and non-prewashed fabrics in a quilt, though. They will not shrink evenly and the quilt could look a bit strange after you wash it.
2006-06-26 14:58:41 · answer #1 · answered by swbiblio 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am not a professional, I have been quilting for two years now and I will tell you my experience. When I first started they (quilting friends) told me to wash everything then iron and cut. Well let me tell you I am a working mom. I wanted the quilting as a hobby not a profession. That is alot more work than I wanted so I found a shortcut after the first quilt I learned. It starts with the purchase phase of quilting. I am always thinking I need enough to wash. Yes, I always buy that extra amount, usually on a 1/4 yard or so. I then go home and trim that 1/4 yard off all the material I am using for the quilt, this is the only part of it I wash first. I can tell by that wash amount if it will shrink to badly or if it will bleed and if it will wrinkle alot and Volah no ironing yards of fabric before you can cut. And I save that 1/4 yard of now scrap material that is prewashed for either fabric swap or a scrap quilt! I do wash the finished quilt before I give it to whom it goes.
2016-03-27 02:39:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I think you know one reason now why to pre-wash! Shrinkage seems to be the most popular response! Lol* But also, many people pre-wash their fabrics to soften their fabric, to let the dyes bleed and "do what they'll do", and also...a reason I just learned this week! I took a hand quilting class and learned that the sizing they treat fabrics with makes getting the needle through your fabric VERY difficult! It was awful! Lol* So if ever you take up hand quilting, ALWAYS pre-wash your fabric, you'll be sorry if you don't...like I was! :) Good luck with your projects!
2006-06-27 10:49:51 · answer #3 · answered by quilt_mommy_2001 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most quilting material is cotton , which does shrink with washing .If the fabric isn't washed before it's cut and quilted, it could shrink and ruin the finished quilt.
2006-06-23 17:53:52 · answer #4 · answered by hjhowie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because fabric shrinks when washed and dried and if you sew it before washing it the fabric will shrink and the thread will not and it will pucker. The same holds true with making clothing. It will be too small after its washed.
2006-06-23 17:17:11 · answer #5 · answered by Corina 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason you are suppose to pre-wash the material is so it will shrink before you sew it together, instead of after, which would cause your quilt to pucker and lose it's shape
2006-06-24 11:02:38 · answer #6 · answered by mygrandmarose2002 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some fabric shrinks differently than others. Also it can help eliminate bleeding of colors from one fabric to another.
2006-06-25 12:57:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because if you ever have to wash your quilt, some squares may shrink while others won't and it'll be all off and weird.
2006-06-23 17:14:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For possible shrinkage, and to remove any sizing that might be in the fabric.
2006-06-23 17:15:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cuts down on shrinkage, so its the size you want when you wash it the first time.
2006-06-23 17:16:13 · answer #10 · answered by sspnk2 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋