Hi everyone

So, I have had people tell me it isn't necessary to wash fabric before beginning making a quilt top. I've also had people tell me that I definitely SHOULD wash the fabric. Still others tell me the main thing is to be consistent when working on a particular quilt - either wash all of the fabrics to be used or none of them. What do you folks think?

Lizzie

Oh...the age old question: To wash or not to wash.

All I can do is tell you what I do and why I do it.

When I was just beginning my quilting adventure, I washed everything the moment it came into my home so that it would be ready to go whenever I was. Then, I sort of fell away from it.

I wash only for the following reasons:

1. I'll be using a red fabric. ( I just hate bleeding fabric!)

2. I'll be make a bed-size quilt that will be washed over and over again.

I don't wash for the following reasons:

1. It does not have red in it.

2. I'm making a wallhanging that will never need washing. (I think of wallhangings like a piece of art...I'd never put a painting in the washing machine.)

Either way, I make sure that all fabric in whatever I'm making is either washed or unwashed. I don't mix them up.

Just my 2 cents.

I do not wash 30's fabrics. I like the way it shrinks- looks vintage. I wash everything else. I am allergic to formeldahyde and both DH and DS2 are asthematic, we don't need to fumes in the house.

Meg, I agree with you about thirties!

Well here is what i do
first i agree with kim reds... always wash..
Second if i steam my block as i go i dont wash them.. it seems that when i do this they dont shrink...
and if they do its very very little...
there is my third cents
Julia

I wash fabric as soon as I get it home. I've had problems with colour bleeding in blues, purples and of course red so I take no chance. I fold fabric and only iron when it's going to be used.

I wash all the fabric I buy before it goes into my stash that way I know for sure that there will be no bleeding or shrinkage after I've sewn.

Mary

I never prewash, unless the item is going to be like placemats or something, that I don't want the aged shrindage look.

I love the look of a quilt that has the puckers, to me it brings out the quilting more. I agree watch the reds. When my project is complete I use a additive to the wash cycle to help prevent bleeding, and it has worked everytime.

I think if you wash or don't wash, is a personal choice depending on the look you want.

Thank you so much ladies. I'll likely make my choice based on the particular project that I'm working on and the colors in the fabric.

Lizzie

I seldom wash my fabrics - I like that aged puckered look too! If I have a fabric that I think will bleed I soak it overnight in cold water with 1/2 to 1 cup of common table salt in it. The salt sets the dye and prevents bleeding. This also works with clothing such as red socks that can turn your hubby's undies pink!

I only wash fabric when I have to - such as for a swap that requires fabric to be washed. And I have occasionally bought fabric that smelled terrible - either from chemicals or from people smoking around it. In that case, I wash!!!

Nola