What a bother....washing fabrics
09-05-2011, 04:41 AM
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 697
I love washing my fabrics! Don't know why, maybe because they're clean to start, not stinky ole dirty clothes -lol.
I even like ironing them - I know thats because I rarely iron anything since hubs and I are both retired. Tees and shorts, sweatshirts and jeans! wash-dry-shake-fold! sharet
I even like ironing them - I know thats because I rarely iron anything since hubs and I are both retired. Tees and shorts, sweatshirts and jeans! wash-dry-shake-fold! sharet
09-05-2011, 04:43 AM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Marion, Iowa
Posts: 518
I started washing everything a while back because every time I walk in a any store that has fabric (some clothing stores) my eyes water, nose runs and I start coughing. It's not as much fun shopping as it used to be.
09-05-2011, 04:52 AM
#33
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Missouri
Posts: 2,020
Originally Posted by Prism99
I don't pre-wash. If there's a color I suspect might bleed, I test a small piece in a glass of water to see if dye runs, then rub the damp fabric against white fabric to see if dye transfers. Saves me a lot of time!
Regarding shrinkage, it's true that fabrics can shrink a lot when washed. However, after a fabric is quilted closely in a quilt sandwich, it is the batting that controls shrinkage. Meaning, if a fabric would shrink 8% if washed by itself but batting shrinks 3%, the fabric will also shrink only 3%. Fabric shrinkage *is* a problem for quilts that are tied or quilted with lines far apart, as the batting will then not control the fabric.
Regarding shrinkage, it's true that fabrics can shrink a lot when washed. However, after a fabric is quilted closely in a quilt sandwich, it is the batting that controls shrinkage. Meaning, if a fabric would shrink 8% if washed by itself but batting shrinks 3%, the fabric will also shrink only 3%. Fabric shrinkage *is* a problem for quilts that are tied or quilted with lines far apart, as the batting will then not control the fabric.
I never pre wash either,unless its a bleeder...as far as shrinking,,a hot iron shrinks more than hot water!!! I steam iron before I cut,and I have never had a shrinking problem.
09-05-2011, 05:02 AM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Lincoln. MI
Posts: 491
Every time I pre-wash and then have to iron new fabrics I remember the "mangle" iron machine my Mom had in the basement when I was a kid. One of those would be SO great for ironing quilt fabric before cutting it or putting it away. It was a huge square thing that she operated with her knee pedal. She could even iron my Dad's flight suits on it - each flight suit had like 19 zippers on it!!!!! I would love to have that machine, and to have the ROOM to have it.
09-05-2011, 05:28 AM
#35
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Kentucky live in WV
Posts: 8,486
Do you know why "formaldehyde found in the processing of fabric!"
Thank god I don't have the respiratory allergies, just the skin. I too scratch at my hands all the way through a fabric store and have a cream that I have to apply immediately after leaving. Sometimes, I have to apply it while I am still shopping. Such a pity, I love to pet fabrics!!!
Originally Posted by auntpiggylpn
Originally Posted by natalieg
It does seem like such a big pain, I agree totally! I NEVER used to pre-wash my fabrics, until I was tested for chemical allergens and the ONE thing they found that I am highly allergic to is the formaldehyde found in the processing of fabric! What a pain!
The whole experience starts when I go shopping for fabric. About 15 minutes in the LQS sets me into a sore throat and itchy hands....and that is if I barely fondle the fabrics! When I find fabric, I have to put it on the cutting table and leave it there so that I don't have to carry it around. About 30 minutes into the shopping "experience" the inside of my hands are scratched from my fingernails and I have almost no voice left! Quite a sight to see actually!!!
When I get the little pretties all home, then I trim the corners back to help with the fraying and wash them with warm water and "free" detergent and a smidgen of "free" softner, and an extra rinse. Then, the second washing is with no soaps or softners. They get to be in the dryer or on the line for a short time, long enough to be almost dry. Then, ruler folded and put away.
When it comes time to use the fabric, then I press it and cut away! But, while cutting and sewing it together, I still suffer the itchy hands, but a lot less than I would without washing them!
I never suffered with any of this in the first 6 years of quilting until I was diagnosed. I don;t suffer too much at home in the sewing room unless I am handling the fabrics. I have well over 2,000 yards in my sewing room and don't suffer like in a QS. The reason is that when I found out, I had to wash all the fabric I owned at the time (just under 800 yards). After putting it back into my room and washing all fabric before it gets into the sewing room, it has removed most of the chemicals. When I enter an LQS, I am surrounded by unwashed fabrics, so my body reacts.
Now, since I have started prewashing, my quilts don't suffer as much shrinkage!
The whole experience starts when I go shopping for fabric. About 15 minutes in the LQS sets me into a sore throat and itchy hands....and that is if I barely fondle the fabrics! When I find fabric, I have to put it on the cutting table and leave it there so that I don't have to carry it around. About 30 minutes into the shopping "experience" the inside of my hands are scratched from my fingernails and I have almost no voice left! Quite a sight to see actually!!!
When I get the little pretties all home, then I trim the corners back to help with the fraying and wash them with warm water and "free" detergent and a smidgen of "free" softner, and an extra rinse. Then, the second washing is with no soaps or softners. They get to be in the dryer or on the line for a short time, long enough to be almost dry. Then, ruler folded and put away.
When it comes time to use the fabric, then I press it and cut away! But, while cutting and sewing it together, I still suffer the itchy hands, but a lot less than I would without washing them!
I never suffered with any of this in the first 6 years of quilting until I was diagnosed. I don;t suffer too much at home in the sewing room unless I am handling the fabrics. I have well over 2,000 yards in my sewing room and don't suffer like in a QS. The reason is that when I found out, I had to wash all the fabric I owned at the time (just under 800 yards). After putting it back into my room and washing all fabric before it gets into the sewing room, it has removed most of the chemicals. When I enter an LQS, I am surrounded by unwashed fabrics, so my body reacts.
Now, since I have started prewashing, my quilts don't suffer as much shrinkage!
09-05-2011, 05:30 AM
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 880
I sort of enjoy the washing and prepping process. It is kind of like a special ritual! When I can afford fabric, especially nice QS fabric, it is such a treat, I guess I like handling it as much as possible...
I also wash out of necessity. Like so many on this board, I need to get rid of the "junk" on the fabric with "Free" type detergent and lots of rinses. Any chemical I can get rid of seems to ease my itchy skin, stuffy sinuses, and arthritic hands.
I also wash out of necessity. Like so many on this board, I need to get rid of the "junk" on the fabric with "Free" type detergent and lots of rinses. Any chemical I can get rid of seems to ease my itchy skin, stuffy sinuses, and arthritic hands.
09-05-2011, 05:38 AM
#37
Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 44
I wash everything in batches of 15 -20 yds (similar colors) at a time using Orvis. Then I hang them on a wooden drying rack--you know, the expandable things, or lay the fabric flat across the spare bed. Many fabrics, such as Windom brand dry without a wrinkle.
09-05-2011, 05:42 AM
#38
Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 38
I worked retail a good deal of my life. If you knew what pesticides they put on the fabric(including clothes) you would definitely wash them. I know what that poor person with allergies is talking about. There are some discount stores I can't go in because I have asthma.Please wash your fabrics!
09-05-2011, 05:53 AM
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 481
I have a friend who also has chemical allergies. She is pretty much housebound b/c of her problems. At first it was cleaning products, then perfumes, and then the lsit continued to grow. I am glad you have been able to continue sewing by prewashing all your fabrics. Have you considered by fabric on line so that you don't have to go to a LQS to purchase your fabric? (I realize how much easier it is to match fabrics etc. but it might be helpful to you....)
Originally Posted by natalieg
It does seem like such a big pain, I agree totally! I NEVER used to pre-wash my fabrics, until I was tested for chemical allergens and the ONE thing they found that I am highly allergic to is the formaldehyde found in the processing of fabric! What a pain!
The whole experience starts when I go shopping for fabric. About 15 minutes in the LQS sets me into a sore throat and itchy hands....and that is if I barely fondle the fabrics! When I find fabric, I have to put it on the cutting table and leave it there so that I don't have to carry it around. About 30 minutes into the shopping "experience" the inside of my hands are scratched from my fingernails and I have almost no voice left! Quite a sight to see actually!!!
When I get the little pretties all home, then I trim the corners back to help with the fraying and wash them with warm water and "free" detergent and a smidgen of "free" softner, and an extra rinse. Then, the second washing is with no soaps or softners. They get to be in the dryer or on the line for a short time, long enough to be almost dry. Then, ruler folded and put away.
When it comes time to use the fabric, then I press it and cut away! But, while cutting and sewing it together, I still suffer the itchy hands, but a lot less than I would without washing them!
I never suffered with any of this in the first 6 years of quilting until I was diagnosed. I don;t suffer too much at home in the sewing room unless I am handling the fabrics. I have well over 2,000 yards in my sewing room and don't suffer like in a QS. The reason is that when I found out, I had to wash all the fabric I owned at the time (just under 800 yards). After putting it back into my room and washing all fabric before it gets into the sewing room, it has removed most of the chemicals. When I enter an LQS, I am surrounded by unwashed fabrics, so my body reacts.
Now, since I have started prewashing, my quilts don't suffer as much shrinkage!
The whole experience starts when I go shopping for fabric. About 15 minutes in the LQS sets me into a sore throat and itchy hands....and that is if I barely fondle the fabrics! When I find fabric, I have to put it on the cutting table and leave it there so that I don't have to carry it around. About 30 minutes into the shopping "experience" the inside of my hands are scratched from my fingernails and I have almost no voice left! Quite a sight to see actually!!!
When I get the little pretties all home, then I trim the corners back to help with the fraying and wash them with warm water and "free" detergent and a smidgen of "free" softner, and an extra rinse. Then, the second washing is with no soaps or softners. They get to be in the dryer or on the line for a short time, long enough to be almost dry. Then, ruler folded and put away.
When it comes time to use the fabric, then I press it and cut away! But, while cutting and sewing it together, I still suffer the itchy hands, but a lot less than I would without washing them!
I never suffered with any of this in the first 6 years of quilting until I was diagnosed. I don;t suffer too much at home in the sewing room unless I am handling the fabrics. I have well over 2,000 yards in my sewing room and don't suffer like in a QS. The reason is that when I found out, I had to wash all the fabric I owned at the time (just under 800 yards). After putting it back into my room and washing all fabric before it gets into the sewing room, it has removed most of the chemicals. When I enter an LQS, I am surrounded by unwashed fabrics, so my body reacts.
Now, since I have started prewashing, my quilts don't suffer as much shrinkage!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
