You either do, or you don't.
I think most of us are firm on what side of the fence we sit on, but do we really know why?
I am sure if I asked him 100 quilters if they pre wash their fabric or not we would get a 50/50 split. If I asked them why, I am not sure everyone could answer me :)!
Some quilters pre wash with a purpose, others out of habit or because that is how they were taught to do it. For those with purpose, their response is usually based on a few things, wanting to make sure the fabric doesn’t run, prewashing = preshrinking or the fact that washing the fabric removes the sizing product used in manufacturing.
How many of you just said “Sizing product?” I can’t say that I didn’t google the actual term used for this. I usually call it starch, but I knew it wasn’t the actual name of what it is and it helped me to be able to better explain what it is and why it’s there.
When quilting fabric (and maybe others) are manufactured, there is a process before printing where a sizing product is applied to help make the fabric a bit stiffer, helps the printing to have sharper edges and prevents ink bleeding. It helps fabric keep its shape on the bolt, and gives it a finished look for the shelf! One spot I was looking for a better definition referred to is as hairspray for fabric ( I couldn’t find where I saw that but it sure stuck with me!) keeping everything in it’s place, a temporary product meant to be washed out, but no clear reason to wash before or after .
The Pre-washers like to remove this product, make the fabric softer and ensure any shrinking will happen before the quilting.
The Non-washers prefer the fabric to remain a bit stiffer helping with more precise cuts, less shifting, a bit of stability on bias cut pieces, less threads shredding and the fact that you can get home from The Quiltery and get to work ! No waiting!
I am a non-washer. I don’t have the patience to wait and I like to use the crisp edge of the fold on my cuts. I know some quilters will iron and re-starch the fabric but for me, I prefer the natural fold.
In the end it is a personal choice. Whether you do it with purpose, do it out of habit or because you were taught to, the trick is to be consistent. I tell customers who ask my opinion on the matter to do the same thing to all the fabric in your project!
If you aren't sure if all the fabric you have is washed, then wash it all. If you wash the fabric for the top (your flimsy) then wash the backing! Let it all react, shrink or crinkle, all at the same time in the same way !
Helping you make memories one stitch at a time!
