Should cotton material be washed before quilting?

Answer 1

It depends partly on the quality of the cotton fabric.

The expensive types of cotton fabrics like those sold in quilt stores have been preshrunk or don't shrink much, where the fabric sold at regular fabric stores** may or may not shrink enough to make a difference.
(I used to think it was absolutely necessary to pre-wash, and it's certainly been a truism especially in years past, but a famous quilter and quilt shop owner and fabric buyer told me differently, and I haven't had problems when I've followed her advice.)
It's also easier to piece bits of fabric if the sizing is still in them... they get limper when washed.

**sometimes a fancy fabric you might see at a quilt store has been printed onto a cheaper cotton when sold at a regular fabric store, so can't always tell by that either

(btw, I'm assuming you mean before *piecing* when you say "before quilting"...if you really mean quilting though, then not sure if the whole top should be washed first or it could depend on the type of thread you're using... don't think I did that either mostly)

Diane B.

Answer 2

You've tapped into the Great Quilting Debate. Some quilters swear you must wash all fabric and batting before cutting and sewing. Others insist that it isn't necessary. Personally, I'm from the second camp - mostly.

There are basically three issues - sizing removal, colorfastness and shrinkage. Sizing is the stuff added to the fabric to keep it smooth and somewhat stiff. If you're hand piecing and quilting, sizing can make it a little more difficult to get the needle through. If you're machine piecing, however, the sizing helps keep the fabric from flopping around, and makes it a lot easier to cut and sew. I know people who insist on washing their fabric, then turn around and add spray starch or sizing to it before cutting (and in some cases, add more before piecing, and even more before quilting). They like the stiffness of the fabric - it makes pieces, especially smaller ones, easier to handle.

Before you cut your fabric, give it a little test for colorfastness. Soak a piece of white fabric in water, squeeze it out, and rub it vigorously on the fabric in question. If any color rubs off onto the white fabric, you may have problems with colorfastness. You can also test it by putting a small piece of the fabric in a white bowl with a little water. If the color of the water changes after a half hour or so, you could have problems. Generally speaking, you're more likely to have trouble with dark red and purple fabrics. The better quality fabrics are less likely to bleed. If you buy inexpensive fabrics, expect more color bleeding. Just to be safe, even if I used high quality fabrics, I like to throw a Shout Color Catcher in with the finished quilt when I wash it for the first time. You can also use a product called Synthrapol in the wash - it helps keep loose dye from staining other fabric. There is another product called Retayne that can be used if you pre-wash your fabrics. It helps set the dye.

The last issue has to do with shrinkage. If you pre-wash your fabric (and your batting, if it's cotton, wool or silk), the finished quilt will be flatter and smoother. It will look "new" even after washing. If you do not pre-wash your fabric, etc., the finished quilt will shrink slightly during the first wash, creating tiny puckers in the fabric that make it look like an older quilt. Many quilters prefer this "aged" look, myself included. It adds charm. If you are going for this look, be sure that none of the fabric has been washed - it's all or nothing. If some has been washed and some hasn't, you'll have uneven shrinking and it won't look good. Also, try to stick to the same quality of fabric throughout the quilt. Don't use $2 fabric from JoAnn's with $9 fabric from your quilt shop. They will also shrink at different rates.

Exceptions to my rules - I ALWAYS wash batiks, since they are overdyed and always bleed. I always wash flannels, since they shrink a lot. They shrink so much, in fact, that I usually buy at least 25% more than the pattern calls for so I'll have enough after it shrinks. Then I spray starch the heck out of the flannels, so they're easier to handle.

Answer 3

I always wash cotton in hot water and put it through a hot dryer. Also, all fabric that is colored, with dye that is stronger than just a faint pastel color, should be color-fasted prior to quilting. You can use a chemical product called "Retayne" which can be bought in some quilt shops or ordered over the Internet for that purpose.

Answer 4

Typically yes, you should wash it before cutting or sewing anything. The exceptions are if you are making a rag quilt, or if you want the old fashioned look were they get puckered after years of use and washing. If you don't prewash the cotton fabric before you finish your quilt, when you wash it, your quilt will look instantly old, especially if you use muted colors. So essentially, it depends on the look you are going for.

Answer 5

Cotton definitely shrinks. Not really from washing it on a hot cycle as much as drying it on anything other than air or low heat. Most people recommend washing the fabric prior to sewing so than an anomalies with the fabric come out and don't affect the way your fabric lays due to the stitching.You should be able to machine wash your skirt after completion. Hand washing and air drying will definitely reduce the wear and tear on the skirt from cleaning but, cotton fabric can certainly withstand a wash and dry cycle.

Answer 6

Only if the other pieces of fabric you are sewing it to are not cotton. If they are cotton it doesn't really matter. It will shrink a little though when you do finally wash it, so it will be a little smaller than when you sewed it. I would pre-wash it to be on the safe side though.

Answer 7

Yes. Cotton shrinks and if you don't prewash, the cotton will shrink after it is quilted destroying all you hard work.

Answer 8

yes.
if you get finished with the project and you wash it and then find out the cottons have different shrink sizes you are going to be in a world of hurt.

Answer 9

it's a good idea to if you're going to wash the quilt. before u make the quilt, fold your material selvage to selvage, then cut little triangles on the corner to keep it from raveling so much.

Answer 10

Yes!! I always wash all my material ; before using or making item.