How to Quilt Basics: Pre-washing Fabric?

How To Quilt Basics Q&A: Do You Pre-wash Fabrics?

You asked and the professionals answered!  Whether you are a beginner or intermediate quilt artist you will find these segments valuable.  Feel free to reply and let us know your techniques!

We asked our experts:

Pre-washing fabric:  To wash or not to wash?  Will the reds and purples bleed if you pre-wash?

Jamie Fingal– I almost had to laugh, when I read this.  I don’t pre-wash anything, because my quilts, which are mainly made for the wall, are never washed.  On the back label, I usually add the words “do not wash.”

Leslie Tucker Jenison– Answer (sort of)-when I began quilting a million years ago I always pre-washed my fabric.  I was warned against colors running, shrinkage, and more.

These days I use both commercial and hand-dyed (by me) cloth.  By the time I have finished the processes on my hand-dyed cloth it has been washed multiple times to remove the excess dye and/or print paste.  I know beyond a doubt that my cloth is not going to bleed or shrink because my final wash is always in hot water!

I do not make many bed quilts so I rarely pre-wash my fabrics.

However.  If I plan to make a quilt that I know will be laundered, such as a baby quilt, and I am concerned about the dye stability in the cloth, I prewash.

Liz Kettle– I used to prewash everything but as my work has changed my need to prewash has changed. Besides that who can wait to wash, dry and iron that fabric? I want to get right to it.

The majority of my work is for the wall and won’t ever be washed so I don’t worry about prewashing. For quilts I make that will be washed I still don’t prewash. I am willing to risk it rather than take the time to prewash.

Ruth Chandler– I always wash my fabrics. I wash them in detergent with no color or scent and I always use Synthrapol. Synthrapol will keep the dyes from attaching to the fabrics when they are washed. Reds and blues are especially bad for bleeding even after prewashing so I make it my practice to use Synthrapol when I wash any of my quilts. Synthrapol can be found at most fabric stores and is very inexpensive. I do cut the edges of my fabric with a wave blade or my pinking shears to lessen raveling in the washer.

Terry White– I pre-wash everything!  If the reds and purples, blues, blacks or browns bleed, then you want them doing that before you put them into a quilt.

My reasons:

1. Fabrics have chemicals including sizing, finishing and dyes….these can cause skin allergies over time.

2. The finishing can mask a poor quality fabric…after washing it doesn’t have much body, color or may not be as nicely woven as you thought…..and, it may shrink a little (you would want it to shrink before you put your lovely work into it.)

3. Various weights and thread counts of different fabrics will stitch better together.

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We would love to hear your thoughts.  Do you pre-wash fabrics before quilting? Reply below.