BEGINNER QUILTING - SHOULD YOU PREWASH YOUR FABRIC? Part 1 - SHRINKAGE...THE WHEN AND WHY

Start learning with two free months of Skillshare!
skl.sh/justgetitdonequilts3
When you wash your fabrics, the cottons shrink. But when you quilt, what is the best time to wash your fabrics . Before, during or after. This is part 1 of a series in what happens when you prewash your fabrics. I test for shrinkage on three different quilts. So stick with me....
COMPLIMENTARY VIDEOS:
FREE QUILT PATTERN - BABY QUILT - STASHBUSTER #3 -QUILT-IN-A-DAY
• FREE QUILT PATTERN - B...
HOW TO BIND A QUILT - USE MY BINDING HACK TO MAKE IT EASY
• HOW TO BIND A QUILT - ...
6 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR QUILT SANDWICH TOGETHER
• 6 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR QU...
✅ Subscribe for more FREE tips for better sewing, dealing with your stash and managing Mt ScrapMore / justgetitdonequilts
🎖️Want to become a member of Karen’s Quilting Crew? Sign Up Here:
/ @justgetitdonequilts
🙌🙌Want more Just Get It Done Quilts content?🙌🙌
Newsletter: www.justgetitdonequilts.com/
Facebook: / justgetitdonequilts
Instagram: / justgetitdonequilts
🛑🛑Recommended Video Series You Should Check Out! 🛑🛑
TIPS & TRICKS FOR BETTER RESULTS
• Tips & Tricks for Bett...
KQC/KAREN’S QUILT CIRCLE PLAYLIST
• Karen's Quilt Circle 🎙
COLOUR YOUR QUILT - The Colour Theory Series
• Colour Theory - How to...
Download my FREE Fast and Easy Stashbuster Patterns
www.justgetitdonequilts.com/s...
💕My Most Watched Videos💕
BUDGET SEWING- TOOLS & HACKS FROM THE DOLLAR STORE
• 🛍 BEGINNER SEWING - 10...
Fast and Easy Beginner Quilt - Quilt-in-a-day Stash Buster - Free Pattern
• Fast and Easy Beginner...
🛠Previously Recommended Tools🛠
Where indicated, the link will direct you to Amazon where I will receive a small commission on your purchase. There is no obligation to purchase from these links. These items may be available locally or you can use or modify something that you already own.
Panasonic NI-WL 600 cordless iron
geni.us/K8OvA (amazon)
M-Aimee Wool Pressing Mat
geni.us/shw7seK (amazon)
Tractor Seat Adjustable Chair
geni.us/YM4WV (amazon)
Ipad stand
geni.us/h6DXzm​ (amazon)
Sitting Pad
bit.ly/2Z2hKzR (Virgus Technologies)
Laser Square
geni.us/u2zDx4 (amazon)
Ultimate 3-In-1 Color Tool
geni.us/8QezMZq (amazon)
Alarm Timer Cube
geni.us/FHElloG (amazon)
LED Lighting Strip
geni.us/FxOE (amazon)
🧵My Favourite Quilt Tools🧵
LDH Scissors lddy.no/njem (LDH scissors)
OMNIGRID 6” x 24” Ruler geni.us/H9Fprrw (amazon)
Olfa 2.5” x 18” Ruler geni.us/Y00AO (amazon)
Add a quarter ruler geni.us/sffqxS (amazon)
Olfa 60MM rotary cutter geni.us/hbmq3 (amazon)
Olfa 45mm rotary cutter geni.us/eBvSBx (amazon)
Clover 28mm rotary cutter geni.us/CLeF (amazon)
Clover Stitch Ripper geni.us/gLL6A (amazon)
Violet Craft Seam Roller geni.us/Bk7YHo (amazon)
T-fal Iron geni.us/ANrABt (amazon)
📱💻You can find me hanging out most days on📱💻
Instagram: JustGetItDoneQuilts
Facebook: JustGetItDoneQuilts
✉️Feel free to email me: [e-mail]
📬Or by snail-mail
Just Get It Done Quilts
3911 Chesswood Dr
North York, ON M3J 2R8
🎥Video Equipment I use🎥
Camera -geni.us/M2432XG (amazon)
Lighting - geni.us/mGNDv (amazon)
Microphone - geni.us/fast (amazon)
Camera memory card - geni.us/SBIXq2 (amazon)
Editing software - Premiere Pro
D I S C L A I M E R
This video is sponsored by Skillshare.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

It was really interesting looking at when and where quilts shrink. I was surprise and shocked at what I found and am happy to share the results. Please share your thoughts below...but be kind :)

[@TheJeniferh]

I used to wash my fabric but not anymore. I found that the fabric became misshapen after it dried. Your video was informative, accurate and entertaining as per usual, Karen. Thanks for your time and effort.

[@helenmurphree3434]

I have always wanted to do this. Thank you for sharing your results. I will post the video on my Facebook page for my customers. I do long-Arm quilting.

[@core88]

Thank you for this video. You must be a fast quilter! I learned form your experiment. Now I have some deciding to do.

[@crochetedlace2838]

Very useful information. Thanks. Sometimes you need to wash charm squares or other small pieces due to soiling or special mending project. I heard hand washing in hot water, then use a salad spinner! ( Tip From SewVeryEasy I believe.)

[@mallorybradshaw8990]

I loved the masking tape visual for shrinkage. Really interesting results!!

[@creativecompanion]

6:47 Green Tape

[@cathyrowe594]

My daughter in law made her very first quilt (a TEENY-TINY 9 patch baby quilt!) & unfortunately used 1 really cheap, loosely woven fabric in it. She was soooo proud to show me how pretty the finished quilt was. Couple days later she called me crying because when she washed it, the quilt shrank & that cheap fabric ripped out seams all over the quilt!!! 😭 She is now an ardent pre- shrinker!

[@jjudy5869]

I prewash. Quilting is what you do with the leftover fabric from garment making. Yes, I'm that old. Spending the time to make a garment, wash it and it not fit anymore is soul-crushing. The reason your second quilt top had puckering is because of uneven shrinkage. Warp and weft of fabric shrink at different rates, so as you turned the pieces of fabric to get the design, you change the direction of the warp and weft of each piece.

[@catherinemclaughlin6949]

I always pre wash

[@Allikattoo]

I don't quilt but my Great Grandmother did and I used to sit beside her while she did. She always prewashed and I loved seeing the fabrics blowing in the wind while they dried on the clothes line. I love watching the quilting channels it reminds me of the hours I sat with my Granny while she made her quilts she made lots of quilts out of our old clothes, those always hold special memories.

[@louisacapell]

It is for this reason alone that you must pre-wash. I can't tell you how many things that have been ruined by not pre washing, just in my home, before I learned.

[@manateeka]

Me too, and I always buy a little bit extra fabric so it won't shrink too small for whatever I'm making. Soul-crushing too!

[@user-mv9tt4st9k]

LOL. I agree. Or your fabric does not wash well. I learned the hard way.

[@mischaderby5746]

I never pre-wash and love the "antique" crinklefication! I feel validated because I always wondered what I was sacrificing. Thanks Karen...and thanks for always being kind 😁

[@AnnBirchard]

"Flimsy" - never heard of a quilt top referred to as such. For the most part, I prewash my fabric except for the jelly rolls. Saves on the headache if anything decides to bleed. Thank you for another outstanding video! Aloha

[@robyn3349]

A new term for me too, charming!

[@MariaLuciaGomezGreenberg]

BTW I am a prewasher. I love how it minimizes the lint in, out of my machine and keeps my allergies under control. Most of the shrinkage is done, and I love sewing the softer fabric. To each its own. M🤷🏻‍♀️

[@Frances_LNofTROY1]

I am the same as you. I make quilts to be used, so eventually, people will need to wash them. I prefer to pre-wash the fabrics, this way, there will be no shrinkage surprise once others wash their quilts. I also have tons of allergies, and fabrics straight from the shops have some chemicals that are not agreeing with me!

[@sdv1967]

Me too

[@denisepettit8534]

Thank you for the extra information. I have been leaning towards prewash for my first quilt. I don't want the shrinkage afterwards but I like reds and I have been concerned with the bleeding. Now with your sharing info I think my instinct of prewash will hold.

[@kaylanek1]

I have two questions for you because I am new to quilting so I’m trying to learn 😂 One do you do anything to the edge for freying (how to spell?) and two do you wash more than one piece together?

[@Wannaloom]

Not a prewasher, and I think I’ll stay that way. 😊 Love when a quilt comes out of the dryer the very first time and it’s all crinkly and soft!

[@azflower7748]

Exactly!

[@patparson4013]

Me too.

[@pamelacarter-wiley2644]

A presenter at one of my quilt guilds recently was an ICU nurse with a sensitivity to formaldehyde that is frequently used in hospitals. She said that many fabrics are treated with it at the factory and she reacts when handling it. Whether or not one does, it’s still not a substance most of us like thinking about having on our skin. In addition, many cotton fabrics also contain pesticide residue from the field as well as the chemicals and dyes that you mention are added to them in the fabrication, some of which are possible carcinogens. This information has me seriously considering washing yardage although as you say doing so with precuts would make them almost unusable. Thank you Karen for another great & informative video.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

There are still two video's to do FABRIC BLEEDING and CLEANING...but I need to do some research first.

[@Nobody-wu7tv]

I’ve been learning there are ways to clean precuts too. Put them in laundry bags on a gentle cycle. Hot or cold will determine level of shrinkage. Hot will obviously get the excess dye and bad chemicals out better. Alternative there’s a great video showing washing in a bowl and spinning in a salad spinner.

[@pegasusquilts]

​@@Nobody-wu7tv absolutely. I do this all the time.

[@marlenejones6266]

Is the only answer to not use precuts? I order a lot of fat quarters. I have never ordered a layer cake or jelly roll or any other zany labeled fabric package of fabric. I thought I was nuts when I heard a woman in a post say she used a layer cake in her quilt. I thought she meant t the color of her birthday cake. Lol. I am 75. I have yet to make a quilt. But I am watching n reading. I have 2 yards of one dark fabric and one yard of my favorite pink with eiffel tower printed on it. Im ordering another yard of the eiffel tower fabric. Im doing the quakulating on what I can make with 4 yards. But alas I cannot Machine shrink since I live in apartment with no washing machine or dryer. I could wash it all by hand but I know drying in a machine is what really shrinks the fabric

[@marlenejones6266]

​@pegasusquilts which do u do all the time? Wash them in a bag or do the salad spinner thing? I needs to know cuz I have no washing machine or dryer

[@lannalane4247]

I have a small collection of old quilts. The ones that are crinkled tend to wear. Not in the stitching, which is a close area, but on the fabric that is puffed a little. That part ends up faded and is the part that wears out first.

[@ritareitsma3770]

My fear of not prewashing fabrics is not only shrinkage, but bleeding of dyes. I prewash everything, but I tend to only buy yardages, not jellyrolls or fat quarters. My fabric goes into the laundry room before it ever sees my craft room and goes into my stash. When I want to start a new project I already know the fabric is washed. Yeah, it's more work to wash and iron, iron, iron and you lose the nice crispness of new fabrics when working with it, but I am assured that my finished quilt won't bleed or go wonky on me. Now that my stash is all washed, I kind of don't have a choice but to keep going that way now, LOL. I would never have done it the #2 way. Yikes!

[@allysonyanta8722]

I always wash my fabric when I buy it but I wash it in cold water and I dry it on a warm not hot setting or I hang it outside to dry. I fell doing it this way there is some shrinkage but not a lot and then iron it And i am good to go. Recently I started buying fat quarters and I haven’t decided no I have decided I’m not gonna wash out the only way I would wash them as if I did sitting all around the corners just about shrinkage and frankly that’s way too much work so I’ll have to think about it.

[@ruthfreeman864]

it is alot of work...and the grain of the fabric has to be straightened also...

[@michiganlighthouse]

You can use Color Catcher sheets in the wash. Find them with the dryer sheets.

[@jenniferevans8026]

This was VERY informative! I love that you actually took the time to make the quilt 3 different ways and examined the results! Thank you for this!

[@Ronibearable]

Crinkles, crinkles and more crinkles... I love the crinkles and therefore don't prewash. I DO however prewash Flannel. Like for baby quilts because flannel shrinks more than quilting cotton. Learned that the hard way, made a receiving blanket, washed it and it turned into a doll blanket. ha ha.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

I too made that mistake. I think flannel is woven loser so that the thread count is less. Thanks for watching

[@AdiarraS]

Crinklefication IS A THING! I LOVE when it's time to wash and dry, and run my hands over the crinkley goodness that is the quilt! Great video! I rarely wash before I quilt. I basically quilt by the Pirate Code. “The code is more what you’d call ‘guidelines’ than actual rules.”lol. The things I make most often are pillowcases, baby quilts, and lap quilts, that tend to be 60" square or smaller, ( I go for 60" ish lol.), so the shrinking only adds to the crinklefication, IMO. Now if I was quilting something that NEEDED to be a specific size or was for a show, I'd be more particular and likely wash first, but shows just really aren't my jam, and people who make clothing are wizards, whom I greatly admire, lol.

[@tacksscherbo7771]

Cheryl -- Aye me matie!! Quoting from Pirates of the Caribbean, eh???

[@wendywilson1736]

Shows aren't my thing either. I also regard patterns and directions as Suggestions, rather than hard, fast rules. I stopped making clothes, anymore, just quilting, or small projects. People saying "we must do this or that" about Our projects is just regarded as their opinion I don't choose to follow. I haven't had any distortion other than I cut, or pieced it wonkily.

[@tmoore1144]

The first person I took a free motion quilting class from always pre-washed. Not only did she pre-wash her fabrics but also her batting. She wanted as little crinkling as possible as her quilts were pictorial.

[@Marialla.]

I've never heard of prewashing batting before! I assumed it would fall apart without the quilt sandwich around it. Are there any tips to be aware of before washing batting to help it come out well?

[@mariettedemarest5173]

@@Marialla. just soak it then spin dry. Don't agitate it.

[@CalieFaeryl]

I pretty much use second hand fabrics, as in they come from clothing I or anyone else no longer wear. Since this is what I use, the issue of washing is not a consideration. I also tend to blend fabrics as a result, so any quilt I make is made up of several types of fabrics.

[@wendywilson1736]

Interesting! What types of fabric do you mix in your projects?

[@CalieFaeryl]

@@wendywilson1736 I try to stick with fabrics that are the same thickness, or close to the same thickness. I also try to make sure stretch goes with stretch and not mix with non stretch as that warps the dimensions of the quilt. Most of the time though I use sheets (heavy weight one's not the thin light weight ones) and all the denim I can get my hands on lol though did go through a spell of using a ton of tshirts to make light weight throws.

[@dcinrb8538]

Babies and toddlers tend to chew on their quilts. I pre-wash most times. Charm packs (for wall hangings & table runners) get a pass. Fabric scraps from sewing clothes are pre-washed. The shrinkage and chemicals are my reasons for pre-washing. My Mom would probably add red or dark blues to the list as well. Shhh, I don't discuss this with other quilters. 😎🐱🌵

[@bellemeri8155]

I prewash all my fabric/washable notions (save thread) unless it's very small pieces - like what you call charm packs - but then I'm a seamstress first (mostly modern clothing with a dash of historical reproduction stuff). I only recently got into quilting to use up the epic stash boxes of leftover stuff. I've been trying to decide if I want to prewash the quilt batting that I plan on using or not since crinkling when you don't prewash interfacing is horrendous! I'd live in fear of that happening with quilt batting.

[@sunneedaze57]

Thank you so much for the comparison!! I prewash everything because I have a grand daughter who is very reactive to unwashed fabric. I have made two baby quilts using jelly rolls, I washed the tops as soon as I finished them and kept the jelly rolls away from my other fabric. I appreciate your real results!

[@rwind656]

The way you approached this is extremely useful. You give me the tools to make choices. Thank you! Looking forward to the continuing series.

[@mamas_quilts3573]

Karen is my favorite Brainiac😍 !

[@lianafeeser7868]

"You give me the tools to make choices." Oh, that is fantastically put!

[@rachelstone9026]

Fantastic video, this logical approach to the "whys" behind quilting are invaluable to a new quilter like me! Thank you, Karen for going to such lengths to put this together - keep your information rich content coming, it is needed & appreciated!

[@kathyf3656]

I pre-wash when I bring something home for shrinkage and to get rid of free dye and chemicals. Only then does it go on my shelf. I also don't do tight, fancy FMQ quilting because that causes additional shrinkage (and waste from all that you have to add in backing and batting before quilting that you have to cut off afterwards). Tight quilting also makes the quilt stiff and hard, like a furniture moving pad. I prefer soft, fluffy, and cuddly.

[@carolschedler3832]

Thank you for sharing that tidbit about tight(er) quilting. Haven't tried it but makes me much less likely to do so.

[@kathyf3656]

@@carolschedler3832 I make mostly quilts for babies and children and I like them soft and well-used. Fancy stitching may be fine for wall hangings and quilt show entries, but not for me. My one and only experience with a LAQ was a disaster, I didn't know what to ask and she ignored what instructions I did give. She even tried to change out my expensive wool batting for poly to make it easier on her. After months of making over 250 hexies for the front of a full size quilt and a completely different pattern for the reversible back, the LAQ did a tight meander that made the quilt hard and stiff. I was embarrassed to gift it, but I had a deadline and no time to take out all the stitching. Never again. I'll do my own method of quilting, use quilt-as-you-go, and be happy that the quilt is one my grandkids cuddle with in front of the TV.

[@carolschedler3832]

@@kathyf3656 thanks for sharing your experience! I've only made two quilts and that was 35 years ago. I may dip my foot back in!

[@xanora24]

Each time a go to a fabric store a get a nasty rush on my hands, arms, neck and legs if I wear short pants. So yes, I prewash. You will be astonishing if you know the amount of chemicals they have in a factory fabric. One of my aunties and my grandma they used to work in a thread factory, and they always had rush on their arms. That thread was either sold as a sewing thread or for factories fabric. My grandma past away and short time after that my auntie left the factory cause she start to have an allergy like asthma, 4 months after leaving the factory she fully recovered.

[@Lillyk96]

I absolutely agree about washing dye and chemicals off of your fabric. Modern fabrics are more color fast than they used to be, but it would be heart breaking if one of the fabrics on a quilt bled and ruined the rest! For quilting, I actually kinda like the feeling of tight quilting, though I can understand why you wouldn't want it for kids, it just has this sort of rope texture that I love.

[@gloriagates6976]

Thanks for doing this Karen you've convinced me you've converted me to being a prewash because I can see that it works better because it seems like there's a lot more problems when you don't thanks ever so much hugs to you hun

[@Qsquires]

Thank you for the great wash test! First time I have seen anything as in depth.

[@judyreid4716]

I would have liked to have seen the shrinkage on a test where you prewashed the fabrics for the top and the backing and where you preshrunk the batting. That is what I do and get very little crinkling as I don’t like my quilts to crinkle. Look forward to more of your testing videos.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

All fabrics for the quilts #2 and #3 were pre-washed, Top, back and binding. But perhaps I need to do one with prewashed batting too. Good idea

[@mamas_quilts3573]

I want the sizing on it...i don't wash first...but I respect others no matter what😍

[@denisekinsley3554]

I'm just getting back into quilting, and I appreciated this thorough analysis. Having started out as a garment sewer, I was taught to always prewash - and if I was using yardage for a quilt project, I would probably choose to prewash. I'm glad you addressed jelly rolls and charm packs, because I couldn't see how pre-washing would make sense for them.

[@carmenbailey8209]

Wow, I wouldn’t have thought that there would be that much shrinking, three inches is a lot. Thanks for sharing 👍❤️😊

[@jmarylastone]

I always prewash yardage because I make dresses/shirts/pants (using the leftover for quilts) and if it is going to go any kind of wonky I want to know before I spend the time making a garment

[@cherisseepp5332]

I’ve always been a fan of completing a quilt before washing because I love the antique look of the completed quilt after washing. My grandmother was a “wash first” quilter. She never could understand my love of an old looking quilt. Growing up, her mother would never have stood for that, it would be considered not presentable, and that’s what my grandmother grew up to believe as well.

[@libbywilson1807]

Thank you Karen, when I was taught to quilt years ago -everything was prewashed, so now the majority of my stash is prewashed. However that was long before the invention of pre cuts which I absuloutley love now. So now I just make sure that I do all one thing or all another; this means I can’t use my stash as efficiently and have to buy more fabric when I use precuts. The main concern I gave now is colour bleeding -I make a lot of blue quilts and still find the navy dyes,no matter the country of origin the most unstable. Thank you for comparing the three quilts- I would never had the patience for that- very interesting results.

[@GrrannyH1]

Use color catchers in the first wash of the quilt, or soak it in water with DAWN detergent to remove extra dye and then wash. If colors do run, soak again with DAWN or wash again with color catchers, but NEVER dry in dryer until all the color is where it is supposed to be.

[@libbywilson1807]

GrrannyH1 thank you- I will try this

[@sarahkinsey5434]

I work at a fabric store, and whenever I buy fabric it goes right from the bag into the laundry. Bolts and fabric end up on the floor all of the time, and sometimes I can feel a chemical residue on certain fabrics. I'm not a quilter yet, but I have a growing cotton/flannel stash I don't really have plans for.

[@Charley711away711]

Thanks for the added info - I've always prewashed and will continue to do so.

[@lisagorski5116]

Great explanations and examples. I'm on the pre-wash side of the debate. As most of my quilts are gifts that I hope the recipient will use, I want them to be able to wash items without fear of colors running or shrinking. The downside is not being able to use all of those wonderful pre-cut collections. As with most debates, it's a trade-off with no absolute"right way" :)

[@Tam-te5nh]

Lisa Gorski i tend to wash the quilts I make before giving them away just to see what will happen. I’d rather find out before the recipient does - I would hate for them to feel like they ruined the quilt too!!

[@cathys2815]

I just discovered you today, and I love your videos! I am a beginner quilter and made the same first five mistakes you did. I've done projects with pre-washing and without pre-washing. I prefer the pre-washed fabric. It is softer, and I don't have to be concerned as much about colors running together onto each other on the finished quilt. I use a pinking rotary cutter blade prior to washing. I just cut a very small strip on the non-selvage sides of the fabric, and then there is almost no fraying from the wash and dry process. Then I starch and iron the fabric prior to cutting. Works great for me!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

👍

[@Marialla.]

I've always prewashed because I was taught that you HAVE to do it that way! But I honestly missed and longed for the soft crinkles that I remember from my mother's old quilts. I never knew this was what I was missing! I'll still prewash garment fabrics of course, but my next intention is to buy new quilt fabric and not wash it at all, and gather me up some delicious puckery goodness in a quilt full of cushiony crinkles!

[@barbarakowalski7327]

Didn’t realize the whole quilt would shrink so much. I’m a washer.

[@ginaordonez9371]

I serge my fabric before washing. Less fraying.

[@marilynbook4211]

I am a washer mainly because I started sewing years ago doing clothing and shrinkage after sewing a garment is not good. I do not pre-wash fat quarters or smaller but then again I do not do a whole quilt with fat quarters.

[@jenniferpearce1052]

What kind of results do you get when you mix yardage & precuts? Or do you avoid that? I don't prewash because I don't want to cause a weird puckering where one section shrinks but another is preshrunk.

[@cynthiastark7258]

Jennifer Pearce you pre wash fabric for sewing garments. Never pre wash pre cuts. I don’t pre wash backing for quilt because I really like the puckering in the quilt.

[@jenniferpearce1052]

@@cynthiastark7258 Not what I was asking. If you prewash yardage for quilting, but not precuts, what happens when you make a quilt that uses both? Rarely does a pattern using precuts not include something that would come from yardage. Or, if you have a pattern that uses precuts, do you choose to not prewash the accompanying yardage?

[@joyceschroeder2769]

Thanks for this research! I am in the "always prewashed" camp, for many reasons. But this shrinkage issue wasn't one of them ... until now. As usual, you have provided insights in a thoughtful, reasoned fashion, and this old dog learned a new trick or two today. (And I love the non-judgmental way you go about presenting the information! I always feel you teach me something without making me feel "part of the conspiracy" against other quilters who do things differently than what you're teaching. So refreshing!)

[@m53goldsmith]

I'm in the no-pre-wash camp, but was really surprised that a quilt shrinks 10% when washed after finishing. As I want my quilts to be "washable" by the intended recipient, I now need to factor in that 10% when sizing my finished quilt. Looks like more borders may be in order! ;-)

[@donnaduguay7532]

Thank you Karen for taking the time out of your busy schedule for doing this video. I've been sewing since I was 13 ( now 66) and have always washed my fabrics. In the last year I've was told I didn't need to wash my quilt fabric unless it's a dark blue or red that might run , and so was advised to do a small sample test. I've made 2 quilts with non washed fabrics for other people.Before making these quilts I had started a quilt for myself but had pre washed all the fabric.and are now just getting the chance to start the binding. I've been told that if you start with all washed fabric that you continue with all washed fabric. A person I know who quilts says that she never washes her fabric and when she first washes her quilts she adds 1 cup of white vinegar to the wash and has had no bleeding. Just thought I would put that out there. Thanks again Karen 💕

[@donnaduguay7532]

I meant to say smashing not binding. Lol

[@susanvoth5831]

Okay, this episode is an eye opener! I’m a wash it before using it kind of quilter (except for precuts), so the end of the segment when you compared shrinkage really got my attention. I’ve been thinking of not washing my fabric but now I’m leaning toward keeping my washing practice as is. One take-away is not to use a combo of washed and unwashed fabric in a quilt - all or nothing at all.

[@GrainneDhu]

I really enjoy your videos! I do a lot more garment making than quilting, so I always wash at least twice--I wash until the fabric doesn't show any further shrinkage. With some fabrics, that's two wash cycles, with others it can be as many as five. This works for me because I live way out about 10 miles north of the middle of nowhere (you have to take a gravel road to get to my gravel road) and the closest dry cleaner I know of is is almost 40 miles away. I'm willing to handwash (I also knit) but I want the ease of being able to throw the majority of my clothes into the washing machine. I actually enjoy pressing and ironing. I put on music or an audio book and let my mind drift as I go. I enjoy the different textures under my hands as the fabric goes from wrinkled to smooth. It's a predictable way for me to put myself in the moment. For garment fabrics that I think may tend to slip or wriggle as I sew, I may iron it with a light starch for extra body. I mostly abide by my grandfather's dictum: if I need more than 5 pins, I need to hand baste (he was a bespoke tailor in England until WWII). Fortunately, I find hand basting equally as soothing as ironing. As for fraying, I usually French seam the two ends of yardage together. I probably lose as much in the French seams as I would to ravelling but I just have this visceral reaction to wads of thread hanging from my yardage. For fat quarters, I zigzag around the cut edges with one side of the stitches just barely catching the fabric edge.

[@sallyseidel5924]

This was super- interesting! I love your science projects!! I've always pre-shrunk my quilting fabric; I'm quite allergic to sizing chemicals. Even going into fabric stores is difficult! 😭 boo!!

[@wendywilson1736]

I wish there was a Care button on this. I know what you mean about allergies to those chemicals. That is why I don't plan on buying anymore fabric, but use what I have, in scraps. The chemicals have worn off, but I still have so many scraps, enough to last a lifetime.💁‍♀️

[@thebluekeystone7628]

Controversial topic!!! Love hearing your prospective on things!!!💝💝💝

[@lindalosier5989]

Nice to know the differences. I use a lot of pre-cuts so washing is done after it's finished. Thanks for the great information.

[@joyinstitches456]

I don't prewash. I iron my fabric, first dry, then with a crapton of steam. It helps create a similar shrinkage as prewashing without the fabrics fraying. Then I starch the ever loving heck out of my fabric with best press.

[@powerful7661]

Please give more details on this technique!

[@Nobody-wu7tv]

I started doing this too after washing and drying on hot. I put a set up in front of the TV so getting through all my fat quarters seems less tedious.

[@tammygohl3982]

I like #1 I do wash my fabric if it is dark but I find the better the fabric the less it runes when it is washed how ever I use flannel for the backs of most of my quilts and I pre washed a red flannel back 5 times and I thought I was good but no I maid a quilt about 60 X 80 and when I washed the res ran all over the quilt and ruined the whole quilt it was a gift so I spent the next few days working on a new quilt so the moral of the story is I will never use a dr red backing again I love your videos please keep making them I learn a lot from you and I can use all the help I can get,

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

I find flannels shrink a lot.

[@trinapenno323]

I am a no wash pre-washed quilt lady I like to just put it together and then wash it and delicate and it puckers up a little like a old quilt I like that look

[@patriciagilbert3651]

I’ve learned so much from you!Thank you!!

[@heathcoteroad9504]

What a great comparison. I have always been in the pre-wash camp. Looks like I will be staying there! Thank you for the great videos!

[@wendybuchanan1381]

I pre wash my fabrics but I also pre wash my batting, that cuts down on the crinkly look. I put the batting into a laundry bag and wash it on gentle cycle with a touch of detergent. I am a fan of wool batting for adult quilts. I always put a label on the back with washing instructions. Cool wash gentle cycle, wool soap, second spin and lay flat to dry on bed.

[@gg110888]

Excellent video! Thanks so much for all the time and effort you put in to this. I was of the not prewash group...and I think I’ll stay there. :)

[@marylong8780]

I have been quilting for over twenty -five years (hand quilting) and I learn something new in each of your videos. Thank you.

[@TheSunlitLeaf]

I was thinking of skipping this step. Thank goodness I saw this!

[@vickiewilliams3259]

Thanks for the great video! I hardly ever prewash. I'm OK with the shrinkage and I like crinklefication - it gives the quilt texture and personality. And you're right - it hides those quilting mistakes better (not that I ever make any).

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

👍

[@amyreich2524]

I've pre-washed & also left fabric unwashed before quilting. But I have noticed (like you) that the quilts are softer & more "homey" when prewashed. I knew there was shrinkage & crinklefication, but was surprised at the 15%! I usually buy fabric & cut my own quarters or strips so I think I'll continue to prewash! Thanks for showing us the actual results of your experiment!

[@sandraengstrand2784]

Great video demonstration! I do not prewash, for several reasons: timesavings, and the extra crinkle-fication factor!! 🧵❤️

[@SimplyThirdStreet]

I’m a prewasher and this makes me glad I am. I”ve just gotten into precuts lately. I put my fat quarters into a lingerie bag and it seems to help some with fraying vs my mom’s which are loose in her wash. I’m going to try that with a layer cake and see how it goes. I like a less crinkly look. I do however feel that either all the fabric gets prewashed or none of it for my own rule. And as I wash everything before I put it away it’s ready to go when I want to use it. Easy peasy. Thanks for the video!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Watch my new video on precuts

[@smallfootprint2961]

OK... as a new quilter, no quilt yet, but long time sewer, I believe in pre washing. To me, that means, washing fabric, truing it, and ironing it before cutting it. I see that it's going to be different if using small pieces of fabric. I'm starting large, so plan to sew around my 'fat quarters,' that I bought, washing and ironing them, and then cutting out the squares. I like the puckers. I plan to use my quilts, and will wash and dry them. Well.. "It." Hopefully I make more than one but, for now... it. My mother taught me to sew, and never pre washed, so often things shrank. I decided I'd always pre wash. Your video gave me some new insight into the issue. I'll have to watch it again to get all the info. Thank you so much for your thoughtful, informative videos.

[@jenniferpearce1052]

😂 Best of luck with "it"! Wishing you much fun!

[@earthmotherwithin]

Wow, how interesting is that!? I love it that you went to all that trouble to show the shrinkage and crinkle. I am still a no wash till the end quilter, but I understand more why someone might wash first. I have only had one quilt that shed a lot of dye after I finished and washed it, but it was not a disaster and I used a product when washing it again that took excess dye out of it.

[@judydaniels2071]

I am not a prewasher. I love the crinklefication

[@Lillyk96]

Very interesting, as a scientist I greatly appreciate a well done experiment! I always prewash because I worry about the chemicals and I'm a garment sewer at heart so it's deeply ingrained in me to always prewash. If I know that I am a little close on my yardage I will zigzag the edges to reduce fraying, but I tend to over buy on yardage so that not usually a big problem. I always love to hear people's opinions on crinklefication, I've met a few antique quilt collectors and they only want quilts with NO CRINKLES (the perfect quilt is one that has never ever been washed), but I've met very few quilters who didn't love at least a few crinkles in a quilt.

[@sharonmika4786]

This video was fascinating! I usually prewash but there is a definite argument here for waiting until the quilt is completed before washing. Thanks so much for this!!💫

[@helendowd5324]

Excellent video. I'm always torn about pre-washing.

[@LauraDickenson]

I love your analytical approach to quilting! And especially that you coin your own terms - crinkle-fication is hilarious.

[@melanielewert7566]

I haven't been pre-washing my fabrics, mostly because of the amount of time it would add to my quilt project. I don't buy at lot of precuts, but I do buy yardage in small amounts (down to a quarter yard) and wouldn't want to deal with the frays, BUT you have made me think more on the subject. Right now I think it would really depend on the size of my blocks and what I was going to use as a backing. Half of my quilts have had fleece as a backing, which doesn't shrink; so in the future if the blocks were big I might prewash the fabric before cutting or if they were small after they were sown together (wash the "flimsy"). With a cotton back, the decisions are a little less clear--there I might just take the chance and not wash at all. Thanks for the video and explaining it so that it makes sense to a lay person. I have only been quilting about 2 years. I've sent one quilt to be long armed and one I did stitch-in-the-ditch; the others have been hand tied. My machine has a small throat, so I'm stymied often on how best to quilt a particular project. I guess it depends on how big the quilt will be and how adventurous I feel at the time I'm working on it.

[@lavonnethompson117]

I wash on,y yardage! I like the wrinkle look after washing the wool/cotton batting filled quilt!

[@charlottecampbell417]

I have always been a prewasher . I’ve taken a bunch of “heat” from sista quilters. Thanks for you wonderful documentation.

[@dulcilass]

I've been pre washing my fabrics for 50 years. Sometimes with batiks and reds I do a second or third wash or rinse and then test for bleeding by ironing the wet fabric on a white surface (paper towel etc.) I learned the hard way with strong colors, especially reds, or batiks that they are prone to bleed. Lost several beautiful blocks when I ironed them before sewing. Fortunately it was before they actually were sewn into the top.

[@brendaperlman8156]

I always pre-wash, especially cottons. I'm relatively new to quilting, but have been sewing since I was very, very young (I'm 72), and my mom taught me to "sew" my doll clothes. We have five kids and one grandson, and I've made clothes, especially for our three girls, since they were born, and found out the hard way that not to prewash can completely ruin play clothes, a blouse, slacks, whatever. I've started prewashing fat quarters, or small remnant pieces, using a nylon bag made for delicate items to HELP prevent fraying. Taking a little extra time, at least for me, can save ruining whatever I'm working on. P.S. I'm a new subscriber and have enjoyed yours posts. They're not only presented in an entertaining manner, you've been able to answer MANY of my questions. Thank you!! Brenda P. A relatively new "quilter" from Middle Georgia!

[@michellebillingsley4704]

I have always hand washed my finished quilts and lay them out, smooth out the top, till it’s nice and even. I do this a couple times to make sure it won’t shrink as much...and I’ve not had a problem...yet. Thank you so much for educating me. As my mother would say... your never too old to learn. So thank you and yes, I still have a lot to learn. God bless you...

[@MsLinaTina]

I pre wash everything fat quarter or bigger. Another thing I worry about is if different brands of fabric would shrink differently than others, and i often mix my brands of cotton. This is the kind of shrink test I've always wanted to see done. Thanks for this.

[@1tinac]

What about bleeding? Thank for the shrinkage test I learn a lot. Very interesting and surprising. Thanks for sharing.

[@BMoll87]

LOVE your videos so much. For my first daughter, I made my first quilt, and i didn't know (as I am a sewing newbie) that cotton fabrics shrink.. Planning for baby #2 now, and for them, I'll definitely will prewash the fabrics, iron, and then sew. I was so upset when my beautiful quilt got all crinkly out of the washer.. I knew it would be, as I've learned about it before having to wash it, but still.. One day I just had to do it, said my goodbyes to the flatly lying fabrics, and braced for impact.. :)

[@gailpape2927]

Best guidance on to wash or not. Thank you for sharing your talents and throughly explaining the process and demonstrating the outcomes.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

More to come soon

[@mariabrenneman8881]

Thanks so much for such an informative video about pre-washing or not washing fabrics for a quilt. You are such a joy to watch.

[@Babushka_Kat]

wow, this is an excellent video. super informative - seeing the examples of each type is super helpful. You are awesome Karen!!!

[@UrbanQuilter]

I loved that you brought up H bonding!! So technical 💕

[@akarpowicz]

This has been very helpful to me. Thank you.

[@mewho8714]

Thank you so much for this video! I am new to quilting and wanted to know how to get maximum crinklage because I love that look. One thing on prewashing the fqs before using them, you can serge or zig zag (use a long stitch to avoid puckering after washing) the top and bottom of the fq ( these are the ends that fray the most in washing) to prevent as much fraying. Or you can do all sides but it takes more time, of course. If it's a woven fabric that frays like crazy all around, I would do all sides.

[@Angela10226]

I was taught to prewash my fabric yardage when I started quilting many many years ago and I still do it. I do not however pre wash my precuts it just makes no sense and even the manufacturers discourage it. There has always been a division regarding this issue and I feel that it most definitely is a personal decision, personally I would never wash a flimsy but that is just me. I appreciate the time it took for you to come to your conclusions with this exercise. Thank you for doing it and sharing your results and experience Karen.

[@emmonstrex65]

I have never seen an actual comparison- thank you. For me, I do not prewash my fabrics. I will, especially when using white and red, sometimes blue (batiks too) wash a quilt before giving it away- just to make sure that the color doesn't run. Yes- I actually never thought of the shrinkage, my fears are based on color. Anyway, I always wash on gentle, cold , and throw in a couple of color catches. To date, I've had some catchers turn purple, but none of my colors have run. I especially like the shrinkage as it makes the quilting "pop". I do see on social networks tales of woe, with pictures, of color running and ruining hours, sometimes weeks, of careful piecing, expensive quilting, and hopes and dreams smash- it's always a stressful time, waiting on the washing machine to finish. Thanks again for this video- and for putting the time and energy into the experiment.

[@carylhalfwassen8555]

emmonstrex65 Recently I was pre washing a red Kona cotton yardage. I washed it in warm water with he detergent 3 times before the color catcher was only a very faint pink. I used 6 color catchers.

[@janeduggan651]

Thank you for your dedication to research and report your information. Have a blessed day.

[@loriar1027]

I was taught to pre shrink my far quarters and pre-cuts by spraying them with water and then hitting it with a hot iron. It avoids that fraying of pre-washing in the machine.

[@powerful7661]

This sounds smart.

[@powerful7661]

Does this prevent fabric bleeding?

[@emmathompson3680]

I have always prewashed until recently. I prewashed because I am a buyer of whatever catches my eye and there was no way of knowing the different shrinkages between fabrics from all sorts of manufacturers. I have fabric that is decades old and I take them out and fondle them and put them back because they are waiting for that perfect quilt. I love your show and this is 2022.

[@ShellyQuick]

Thank you, I very much enjoy this post and I was faced with this dilemma for a unusual project for quilting.

[@blimcore]

Very informative thank you

[@GrandmaP10]

I am not a prewasher. I watch many quilting blogs and no one of these well knowm quilters have prewashed. I understand the potential issues. I've had success using color blockers in the wash. As I have limited time to quilt, for me, the extra time prewashing, is time I'm not quilting!!

[@pbottjen5283]

Know that you are appreciated!.. It is interesting to me that your experiment convinced some to start pre-washing and convinced others to NOT prewash. Everyone seems to have a little different take-away. Again, I appreciate your hard work. Blessings.

[@dianaedgington8009]

Loved your thorough comparisons. I am a pre-wahsher, mostly because I always have been. Can not replace that stash after some 30 years. I would include panel quilts in the do not prewash category, the shrinkage can really mess up cutting out all the cute little blocks and borders that go with them.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Great point

[@carylhalfwassen8555]

Diana Edgington For panels, soak in sink, press out excess water then put panel in a salad spinner to remove excess water. May need to spin several times to extract the most water. Remove, lay the panel flat to dry.

[@dianaedgington8009]

Caryl Halfwassen will have to give this a try, but will put it to Karen’s masking tape test!

[@pamlarkin5405]

@@dianaedgington8009 so what was the result?

[@dianaedgington8009]

@@pamlarkin5405 to be honest I have not tried yet!

[@erzsblasfantaven3334]

I love how methodical you are

[@elenalanglois]

I’m a pre-washer. I like the softness of the fabric, plus it installs confidence that the colours won’t run. I mostly buy yardage so I don’t worry as much about shrinkage, but I prewash my fat quarters too after surging the edges. I never prewash charm packs or jelly rolls, but I tend to use them exclusive of the rest of my stash in a project.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

+Elena Langlois I love how well you take care of your fabrics 😊

[@JessicaSmith-gd1fu]

Fascinating!

[@leiaclark8388]

This video was great! It was so straightforward and did a great job of comparing apples to apples.Based on what I learned, when i buy bulk fabrics, I'll prewash, but when I buy precut packs, I won't.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Thank you for letting me know.

[@heatherheddleson3362]

I think this is my favorite video. I am getting ready to try making my first quilt and I have been struggling with this decision. Perfect timing.

[@debracampbell5151]

Good luck with your first quilt! I hope you get hooked on quilting!

[@robyn3349]

Very instructive! I have always pre-washed yardage, but that crinklefication of the unwashed quilt is very attractive! So pre-wash or don't, but don't mix the two.

[@Tam-te5nh]

Rob yN that is my current dilemma - the mix of fabrics. I have yardage, tons of fat quarters & quite a few random, leftover charms. I love this & want to be able to put it all together. I had previously kept my washed fabric separate from the unwashed. After this video & a conversation with a quilter friend, I’ve decided to take the plunge & wash everything (no spin cycle)...except I don’t know what to do with the charms. I’m thinking a bath in the bathtub??? As far as water temp goes, I’ve always figured (especially in garment making) the more abuse prior to sewing the better. That way when the item is washed later, no matter who washes it or how, it should be fine. 😉

[@michiganlighthouse]

Good segment. I prewash and use a Color Catcher sheet in the wash. As expected, blacks, reds, blues and any deeply saturated colors bleed onto the Color Catcher. I feel good about that! I keep scissors in the laundry room, clip bad strings and frays before drying. I have front loaders, so I drape a piece over the open dryer door and snip, snip. Give it a haircut. Another reasoj I prewash is to minimize the sizing, which can irritate my breathing.

[@kittycatfluffy]

This was such an educational video! I’m a pre-washer, mostly because I learned how to quilt from other pre-washers and didn’t know there was a debate over when to wash. I can totally understand where the post-washers are coming from, might have to try it out on a quilt some time. :) Hope you, and anyone reading this, have a fantastic day.

[@cynthiamarble1232]

Great info, thank you soo much. I was shocked at how much the quilts shrank on all 3. I think I will make my quilts about 3 inches larger in the future. :D

[@tinas977]

I like the shrinking on my quilts when they’re done. Gives that old-fashioned looks. Hugs! Thank you for your videos. Enjoying the learning.