In a family of 6 I already spend far too much time in the laundry and at the washing line. I stopped washing fabric some time ago when I had to untangle lots of 20cm strips and iron them. Something else I'm not crazy about.
With charm squares and the advent of jelly rolls etc pre-washing has to be a questionable use of precious sewing time.
As for shrinkage, I can't quantify that. For me it hasn't been an issue. Of course there are occasional colour runs. This is my block #12
The red fabric in the centre top bud ran when I washed the block. Drat. But colour catcher came to the rescue. I put one sheet and the block in cold water and agitated it well. Colour catcher went pink. Block came out clean. Yay!
I leave you with a question. Why do you pre-wash?
Liz - your block is beautiful! Queen of scrap! All my blocks are scrappy as well.
ReplyDeleteI don't pre-wash either. I use to in the old days, but I only ever had one tiny hand died fabric leaf run. Waste of time to me. Wendy W
The biggest reason I pre wash is to get the fabric on the straight of grain. I can buy pieces, 1/2 yards, and after they are washed and I trim them up I can have as little as 15 usable inches.I also pre wash to take out as much of the sizing and chemicals and dyes as possible. I worked in retail and I know that fabrics are fumigated when they are shipped, we always steamed the clothing AFTER lunch!
ReplyDeleteSorry Liz, I forgot to comment on how pretty your block is! That one looks like lots of work, I've prepped #7 tonight, back basted the vase and freezer paper basted the leaves.
ReplyDeleteYour block is wonderful, great greens.
ReplyDeleteI thought I'd forgo the prewash too and then I realised that the freezer paper doesn't stick too good to the fabric for applique templates. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. I really think it wouldn't be as much of an issue if you wash your block before trimming. Also, we now have those dye catchers to save us.
These days I seldom wash. I have never heard of dye catcher things. I have no dryer and not much space to hang things. Some of the fabrics are rather small when you get them and there might not be much left if the edges fray in washing.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, the fabric I am using on the back of my banner is clearly a poor dye job as some of the color is rubbing off on my fingers while I quilt. Maybe I should look fore one of those catcher things but I don't plan to wash it any time soon.
I just found out there was a blog for making this quilt! I am making it too... would love to share.. how do I get added?
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't wash.. or rarely.... just certain fabrics for quilts I know will be washed.. not for books quilts or magazine quilts.. not enough time for all the fabric that comes in!
The block is wonderful and you gotta love the color catchers!
ReplyDeleteI don't prewash unless the fabric is really stiff or really red!
I prewash my fabric. I made my own clothes for years and I always washed my fabrics because I didn't want my clothes to shrink when I washed them, so prewashing is a habit. I like washing and drying my fabrics. I use color catchers too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun block!! Love how it turned out for you. Color catchers are usually pretty reliable unless you have a real renegade fabric. I am confessin' too - I only make a point to prewash fabrics when I know the quilt will be used - baby quilts, any flannels, pieced quilts intended for beds. With my new found love of applique this past year, & the mindset that these quilts will be more for "show," (I hope!) washing has taken a back seat.
ReplyDeleteSome of my stitching buddies bring their newly purchased fabric in from the car and go directly to the washing machine...now that is dedication!
I do and don't wash my fabric. I have started washing anything that goes into applique. I don't want to spend all that time and have something run and risk ruining it. For piecing I like the look after it is finished when you wash it and it comes out crinkly!
ReplyDeleteI always prewash. Although it doesn't happen often, colors do sometimes run and many times they are not the ones you would expect! I just feel more confident using prewashed fabrics and would prefer to know what's being added to my stash instead of worrying about it after a project is completed.
ReplyDeleteI do use color catchers, too, though. Love them!
I'm not a member of this blog, but I love reading it and seeing all your photos. You all are doing such a wonderful job!
ReplyDeleteI always prewash my fabrics because of the formaldehyde they use in the processing of the fabric. If I don't prewash the fabric, when I iron it, the fumes created by the formaldehyde affect my breathing. I'd much rather spend the time prewashing and ironing my fabric than staying in the hospital because I skipped that step.
I am like you.... I used to, but don't anymore unless it is a hand dye or a batik and usually only reds. Sure glad it came out for you. I love, love, love your block.
ReplyDeleteIt just absolutely kills me that I didn't find out about this sooner. I only learned about this quilt/group today and of course the patterns are already gone. I'm so sad, I would have dearly loved to join in =0(
ReplyDeleteglad to hear how well the color catcher work. Prewash--sometimes. Sometimes to take the sizing out, sometimes if I think the colors will run. I love seeing your block, checking out all the fabrics/color you used. I plan to try more fabrics in my next blocks!
ReplyDeletePat, contact Sharon (address: sharon@grassrootsquiltstudio.com). She is the administrator of the blog and she can sign you up.
ReplyDeleteJeanette, don't fret. Block #16 of 25 blocks went up today. You can access it through http://sentimentalstitches.net/free-stuff/polka-dot-garden/beyond-the-cherry-trees-album-quilt/
It is for free and will stay for one month. Then it will be available to purchase along with all the previous blocks through Sentimental Stitches.
Well, all the different answers regarding pre-washing confirms what I always suspected about us quilters - we all do things our own way for our own reasons!