...OR NOT TO WASH??? Fabric that has not been washed has a lovely "crisp feel" to it and this is lost the moment you dunk it in some water. Those who don't wash their fabric, generally choose not to because they like the crispness of unwashed fabric and prefer to work with the fabric as "new". Those who choose to wash their fabrics do so for 2 main reasons: fabric "colourfastness" and fabric "shrinkage". These days most fabric is very good quality and these are not common problems. But it is a risk and washing your fabric will "eliminate" any likely possibility. A lot depends on the "purpose" of your project. If you plan to make an item that will never be washed then you have no need to wash prior to use. On the other hand, if you quilt will be well used and washed frequently, washing fabric first may be advisable. COLORFASTNESS/BLEEDING Some quilting cottons "bleed" or run and for some unknown reason, red fabric is the worst colour for bleeding. Black and other dark colours also have the same tendancy. Bleeding means the fabrics will lose dyes when they are washed and those dyes can "stain" the other fabrics in your quilt. So, if you were not planning to wash your fabrics, I strongly recommend that you at least perform the easy "bleed test" on your fabrics before before using them in a project. To test colourfastness, cut a one inch square of the dark fabric and place it in a glass of hot water with a square of light colour fabric. If the fabric "bleeds" and the light colour picks up the darker colour, you will definitely need to wash it. After washing the fabric, rinse it "repeatedly" until the water runs clear. If the fabric continues to "bleed" you can soak it in a solution of 3 parts water to one part vinegar. However, if the dye still runs after this, you would be wise to discard it and select another fabric. If you are concerned about your fabric shrinking, it is best to wash your fabric prior to use. This will avoid the "heartache" of a ruined project. The last thing you want, after spending countless hours creating a masterpiece. Some people like the "antique" look. For these projects, they deliberately select fabric that will shrink. After they complete the quilt, they then wash it in hot water to encourage shrinkage and a "unique" finish. However, if you don't plan on this look, "washing" is a good policy. HANDWASH OR MACHINE? Small pieces of fabric - up to half a metre can be easily "dunked" in a bucket and given a quick hand wash. The machine is obviously easier for larger lengths. However, small pieces can be placed in a lingerie bag or sealed pillow slip for a little "protection". You will need to wash your fabric in warm to hot water. This will ensure that all the shrinkage that's likely to occur will happen in that first wash. You can use a regular washing detergent or just water if you prefer. TANGLING A common problem with washing fabric in a machine is that it tends to fray quite badly and if you have lots of pieces in the one load, they can all get terribly "tangled". This is not such a problem with "front loading machines" as it is with top loaders. Here are a couple of simple solutions... 1. Snip the corners: by snipping half and inch off each corner of the fabric piece, this prevents the fabric fraying. Sounds so simple but it really does work. 2. Overlock the raw egdes: for longer lengths of fabric you can overlock across the width of each end and this does the same trick.
Personally, I choose to wash all my fabric. Many long hours and much love goes into producing a quilt and I'm not prepared to take the chance that any one of the fabrics might shrink or run, "ruining" the entire quilt. As soon as I bring the fabric home, I wash it immediately so, I'm never confused about which fabrics are washed and ready for use -- they all are! So, if the fabric is ruined in that wash, I figure it is better ruined then, than after I have spent weeks, "months" or years, creating a beautiful quilt. If it shrinks - it does so in that first wash. If it is going to change colour - it does so before I start and if it runs - I can either use it anyway, "fix it" or "discard" it.
If you ever have an accident and a fabric ran after you'd washed it, there is a product on the market that can be a "life-saver". It's called "Run Away" and is made by the dye company -- Dylon. I purchased it from "Spotlight," however, I'm sure it would be available at any store that sells the Dylon dyes. I have used it on light coloured fat quarters that I soaked with some darkers colours that ran... ahhggg! The unwanted colour was "removed completely" and I was able to use the fabric as planned. I've not used it on a completed quilt where there is a mix of colours together. But if your quilt is ruined already, it might be worth a try!
Whether or not you've chosen to wash your fabrics, it certainly pays to press them neatly before you start to cut. With cotton fabric, a "hot" iron set to steam will give the best result. So, you're now set to prepare your fabrics according to your needs and personal preference.
Take a look at other "expert" hints and tips available at PNQ Online! OR... subscribe to PNQ Online's monthly ezine and have these expert quilting hints and tips delivered directly to your email box.
|
