2 Kinds of Quilters: Prewash vs. Don't Prewash

Which kind of quilter are you? Vote below.

This is the great debate. Do you prewash your fabric or don't you? OR, does it depend on how the fabric is being used, or what type of fabric it is?

(Picture by Lauren Vlcek)

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Which Kind of Quilter Are You -- Prewash or Don't Prewash?

Comments

#8 Veronica Haberthuer 2021-01-24 20:53

I always prewash. I recently got a bunch of fabric to do a charity project. Not thinking I started cutting, sewing and ironing. When ironing, the fumes from the chemicals in the fabric were strong. I stopped and washed all the rest of the fabric. That is just one reason. I recently had a blue fabric bleed. I also like to wash to pre-shrink. I want to know what my fabric will do in the future and do it to all fabrics so I know they are washed.

#7 Carol Kirby 2021-01-24 17:51

I never prewash, except for baby quilts, which I always prewash. So, I voted "depends on the project". When it comes to baby quilts, I just want to ensure that all "products" have been washed out of the fabrics, to deter against any possible allergic reactions. I rinse the fabric well in the washer, and don't use dryer sheets for baby quilts. Otherwise, I never prewash.

#6 Meleg Christine 2021-01-24 17:04

I prewash any fabric that has the colors, red, orange, dark yellow, because these tend to run when washed. I will pretest any fabric that has dark colors and will wash them if necessary. My Mom taught me to "set" colors using kitchen vinegar in a prewash after testing . If I put that much work into a project I don't want it ruined if it needs to be washed later. If I think a project could need to be washed later I don't use precuts, I will purchase fabric from the bolt and pretest and set colors if necessary.. Precuts are a great convenience, but what good is that if the end product is ruined?

#5 52KID 2021-01-24 15:51

The minky will work fine on the back - I've done it several times. I always wash my quilts before I gift them so I know that everything was ok. It is lovely for baby quilts because it is SO soft. Have fun with it.

#4 Jan W 2021-01-24 13:56

I always prewash except when using precuts - imagine a washed charm pack or jelly roll! That means that I don’t usually prewash fabric bought especially for any borders, etc in the same quilt.

#3 maryann b 2021-01-24 10:42

BTW Minkee on the back for a baby, they love it! It's wonderful and works/usually washes well.

#2 maryann b 2021-01-24 10:41

I don't always prewash, but BEWARE!!!! batiks! I had the most beautiful awe inspiring bowls of color when I decided to prewash a few batiks! I ended up taking out ALL my batiks and washing them vigorously because they bled forever.

#1 Susan P 2016-01-07 11:47

I have many fabrics in my stash that have been pre-washed and sometimes I want to use them in a scrappy quill with pre-cuts, however, I can't as the pre-cuts cannot be pre-washed. I just recently bought a kit for a baby quilt and want to use Minkee on the back, but don't know if this is possible as the fabric in the kit is cotton and might not work with the Minkee. What to do?

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