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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Do you Wash.......  |
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True Blue Farmgirl
584 Posts
Audrey
Albuquerque
New Mexico
USA
584 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 01 2008 : 10:48:12 AM
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all your fabrics before sewing them up?! Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't.........just wondered what everyone else does.
Until Later,
Audrey
~ Side by side or miles apart....dear friends are always close to the heart ~ |
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Firemama
True Blue Farmgirl
1731 Posts
Amanda
Medical Lake
WA
USA
1731 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2008 : 10:59:11 AM
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I hardly ever do. Should I be ashamed, lol : )
Mama to 2
FarmGirl# 20
People can only make you feel inferior with your permission, and you dont have my permission......
http://myfarmdreams.blogspot.com/
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electricdunce
True Blue Farmgirl
2544 Posts
Karin
Belmont
ME
USA
2544 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2008 : 11:15:26 AM
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I wash all my red fabrics, because those are the ones that might have a problem. I don't wash all my quiolt fabric unless it feels over processed, I've never had a probllem except when made my sons red and white quilt when he was five. One of the reds ran, so that was enoguh for me.
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
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oldfashioned girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2391 Posts
monica
oatman
az
USA
2391 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2008 : 11:18:41 AM
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Audrey, I wash most fabrics before using them. I always wash cottons especially if I am going to use them in a quilt. If you don't the fabric will tear away from the seams the first time the quilt is washed!
Monica
Farmgirls Rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com |
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gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2008 : 11:36:35 AM
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I only wash the lower quality fabric they seem to shrink the worst. And all reds too.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
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City_Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
509 Posts
Christina
Omaha
Nebraska
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2008 : 11:47:06 AM
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I have never washed my fabric prior to using.  However, with Batiks I have been known to spray the fabric heavily with Best Press to lock in the color prior to pressing. I try to either use vintage fabrics that have already been laundered 1000 times or nicer quality cottons that are known for not bleeding. I guess that I am lucky that I have never had a problen with my seams shrinking and tearing away. It may be because the one little project I did with some vintage fabric I used a 1/2 inch seam instead of the 1/4 inch. What little shrinkage I do get I like because I like the aged look of the puckering and tufting between the quilting stitches.
Christina
Farmgirl Sister #195
http://justacitychick.blogspot.com/
Although no one can go back and make a brand new start; anyone can start from now
and make a brand new end.
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willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
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oldfashioned girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2391 Posts
monica
oatman
az
USA
2391 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2008 : 12:17:03 PM
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After hearing about the reds bleeding, I wanted to say that I had a piece of very dark blue bleed some. I also had one piece of fabric, that was a nice weave, lose it's color really bad. It was white with a flower print and when I went to lightly scrub a small dirty spot all of the print started coming off! Most vintage fabrics probably have been washed already! If I get a piece from a thrift store or something and the cut end is frayed it is usually safe to assume it has been washed before! I started trimming of the frayed ends with pinking shears so I could keep track of what I had and hadn't washed!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com |
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Georgiann
True Blue Farmgirl
109 Posts
Georgiann
Seymour
IN
USA
109 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2008 : 12:38:59 PM
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What about fabrics that come in jelly rolls or charm packs? They are already pinked on the edges -- do you wash those?
Whatever you do, do it with your whole heart |
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Marcy
True Blue Farmgirl
2701 Posts
Marcy
Tiverton
Rhode Island
USA
2701 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2008 : 12:44:49 PM
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It depends on what I am using it for. If the fabric is for a cloth doll with doll clothing, I don't. If it's for a quilt I usually do. I like to see if it is going to run or shrink before I make a quilt.
Farmgirl #170
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2008 : 2:43:17 PM
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I guess I am weird but I don't usually wash my fabrics before using them in a quilt or anything else. When I quilt I like that wrinkly look when the quilt is done and then I wash it and it kind of looks bumpy. So I don't and I have never had a problem so far. so it is just a personal preference I guess. Beverley
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2008 : 2:56:00 PM
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I usually DO wash all my fabric...but it does depend on what I am doing...for curtains I proabably wouldn't, but for clothing or a quilt I probably would. I don't wash doll body material, but usually do wash the clothing material. Depends I guess.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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Bonne
True Blue Farmgirl
3003 Posts
Bonne
Littleton
CO
USA
3003 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2008 : 4:26:33 PM
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I never used to, until a friend that worked in the textile business got really sick from being around all the chemicals that are added to fabrics. She told me to always wash new fabrics and clothing to get rid of the junk that is added ~ often to give them that "new" finish.
 http://bonne1313.blogspot.com/ BLOG
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Aunt George
True Blue Farmgirl
1476 Posts
Georgann
Midlothian
VA
1476 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2008 : 5:24:14 PM
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I wash all of my fabrics. Due to the reason that Bonne gave above. When working at Hancock fabrics, I had to sign a disclaimer that I would not hold them liable for any allergic reactions that I may incur due to the chemicals used in the processing of the fabrics. It was known that many of the fabrics imported from China were treated with formaldehyde during the fabrication. I know one girl that would break out in head to toe rashes from the fabrics when she was unpacking the boxes.
So....I always wash. I do prewash my reds, blues, purples, batiks in salt water to help set the dyes. I think it helps, but I could be wrong.
Later,
G
http://auntgeorgeshouse.blogspot.com/index.html
http://auntgeorge.etsy.com
"Made With Love" |
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chickabella
True Blue Farmgirl
177 Posts
D. A.
Austin... ish,
Texas
177 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2008 : 5:32:24 PM
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I wash all my fabrics as well, due to what Bonnie and Aunt George writes above. Some fabrics are also treated with sizing to give them a heftier "feel" on the bolt, but once washed, turn out to be flimsy. Better to know it now than to find out through rips or tears later.
Farm blog: http://farmnatters.blogspot.com
Heart of Texas Farmgirls Chapter; Farmgirl Sisterhood Member #275
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Contrary Wife
True Blue Farmgirl
2164 Posts
Teresa Sue
Tekoa
WA
USA
2164 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2008 : 5:39:00 PM
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I also wash all my new fabric for the health reasons mentioned above. Then I can also fold athe fabric a certain way so I can add it to my stash and still be able to see it. The smaller pieces I buy, fat quarters,etc I was in the sink and then roll in an old towel and then air dry. The fabric I use to put into quilts, I then press and use spray starch (liquid starch mixed with water that I put in a spray bottle)to make it easier to handle and not stretch out of shape.
Teresa Sue
Farmgirl Sister #316
"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9364 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9364 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2008 : 7:23:09 PM
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Always wash all my fabrics because of shrinkage and now after hearing the above I'm glad I do.
Denise
farmgirl sister #43
"Take a lesson from the teakettle, though up to its
neck in hot water...it sings!"
www.torisgram.etsy.com |
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katie-ell
True Blue Farmgirl
1818 Posts
Katie
Illinois
1818 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2008 : 7:25:37 PM
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I always wash new fabrics to avoid shrinkage later, and I wash vintage fabrics to make them fresh and happy! See my blog -- just did a posting a bit ago featuring my vintage fabrics on the clothesline.
www.youaretoocreative.blogspot.com |
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StitchinWitch
True Blue Farmgirl
2269 Posts
Judith
Galt
CA
USA
2269 Posts |
Posted - Sep 02 2008 : 12:58:35 AM
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I also wash all my fabric, usually as soon as I get it home. It gets rid of the chemicals and sizing and eliminates any shrinking later on.
Happiness is Homemade |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Sep 02 2008 : 01:23:03 AM
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I wash all my cottons before using them. I love washing and ironing fabric - call me crazy. I don't wash decorators fabrics before using them. I usually only use those for purses so I like the stiffness of the sizing.
Handmade Soap and More! - http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
PROUD FARMGIRL SISTER #100 |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Sep 02 2008 : 06:47:31 AM
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I guess I am a product of my Home Ec classes. We where taught to wash every fabric, pull threads to get cut edge even, and then iron the fabric and store away from light and critters. Remember those first projects? Our first sewing project was an apron.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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Suzan
True Blue Farmgirl
659 Posts
suzanne
duncannon
pa
USA
659 Posts |
Posted - Sep 02 2008 : 07:19:07 AM
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| Grace, Ours was an apron too! We were in 4th grade and joined 4-H and made aprons. By the time we got to Home Ec in 7th grade we were proficient enough that she had our first project be skirts! (Went to a small school and all of us friends joined 4-H, Girl Scouts etc.). We learned so much thru 4-H1 It had to make our Home Ec teacher's life alot easier! she just expanded on what we learned at 4-H. She also taught us embroidery, tatting, darning etc. |
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oldfashioned girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2391 Posts
monica
oatman
az
USA
2391 Posts |
Posted - Sep 02 2008 : 07:40:32 AM
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Grace, You were lucky to get to make an apron! We had to make night shirts with a placket in the front! What a nightmare! It's a wonder I ever sewed again after that!
Monica
Farmgirls Rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com |
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ktknits
True Blue Farmgirl
582 Posts
Kathy
Northwest Indiana
USA
582 Posts |
Posted - Sep 02 2008 : 07:42:23 AM
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I wash too! Never did before I heard about the chemicals, but now I wash everything when it comes in the door.
http://ktknits.blogspot.com |
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electricdunce
True Blue Farmgirl
2544 Posts
Karin
Belmont
ME
USA
2544 Posts |
Posted - Sep 02 2008 : 08:10:12 AM
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Our first sewing project at boarding school was ato make a square dance skirt. We had square dancing lessons every Wednesday. It was one of those three tiered gathered skirts. I remember the teacher getting mad at me for making my threads too long and I had to rip out quite a lot of stitches to make the teacher happy. I love hand sewing though, and I think learning to backstitch at age ten was a gift.
When my daughter was little i got her a pair of purple pajamas and boy did those babies bleed. I used them to dye fabric with, they just kept on giving this beautiful color. I remember the pjs were made in Turkey, kind of a surprise. I still have fabric I dyed from them. I guess any intense color can bleed....
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
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khartquilt
True Blue Farmgirl
1176 Posts
USA
1176 Posts |
Posted - Sep 02 2008 : 09:41:45 AM
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I always wash my fabric. For quilting and garments.
I too worked very had on a quilt top. Gave it as a gift only to find out that after it was washed it was a mess.
That happened to a jacket I made too.
Kathy H
Farmgirl Sister #81
"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world..." (anomymous)
http://khartquilt.blogspot.com |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Do you Wash....... |
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Do you Wash.......
