One Fabric Fact Every Quilter Should Know!

[@joandavis9070]

Great video.....perfectly illustrates the reason why I ALWAYS prewash my fabric before it goes into my stash. I sadly learned this lesson early on in my quilting journey.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thank you!

[@erlinepruitt3626]

I starch my fabrics and then do my cutting…great video🥰

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thank you!

[@carollynn8415]

I have heard MANY others say the same about pre washing...and searching. I think I'm convinced, it's worth the time, ESPECIALLY on multiple pieces in a block. Your visual is a great way to SEE the difference. Thanks

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are most welcome!

[@beckyezra1]

I use starch saturated fabrics before! cutting all the yard or the fat quarter, and only then cut. thankyou love yr videos. bless.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@KnitzyKitzy]

If you are a prewasher this doesn’t happen to you as all the shrinking has been done. When I am using small precuts I cannot wash I press on wool setting without steam. No shrinkage that I have detected from that. Now using polyester thread seems to cause me to have slightly over a 1/4 inch seam so I have to be careful with that. Cotton is preferred but it costs more and I have some poly to work through so I only use the fine cotton thread on special quilts.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Yes, you would not have worry about shrinkage! Good plan!

[@notesfromleisa-land]

I piece exclusively now with Wonderfil's Decobob. It is a cottonized polyester. At 80wt (as strong at 50) it is perfect for densely pieced blocks. There is no issue with heat (though one would not use it for high heat/microwave applications).

[@Mickey-jn8hz]

Lord in heaven, i have been saturating with either steam, water and starch……I haven’t attempted a quilt yet so your video is spot on!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Good deal!

[@wilycat5290]

You've done all makers who see your video a genuine service. Thanks for the information ℹ️😊

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@sandrafoster2211]

Thanks for this info. This adds to the way we handle our fabric.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome!

[@anilovesmeemee]

Good scientific sleuthing!!🕵I am camp 'Wash ALL the fabric!'. I've done this since beginning quilting in the '80s. Back in those dark ages fabric was stiff and sometimes smelly with chemicals from the factories, so you had to wash it. Even as the fabric manufacturers stopped using the sizers and other chemicals, I've continued to wash fabric prior to using them for a quilt project. After washing I dry it and remove from the dryer while still a bit damp, then dry hot iron till dry.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

That is awesome! We just have to find what works for each of us and be consistent!

[@margm4]

That was excellent. I never prewash, nor do I starch, spray etc. Always used dry iron. I was a garment maker, for myself and kids, and didn’t have any problems. Everything I watch now says to spray, steam, etc. Glad to know it’s not necessary. I have a clapper. 🇦🇺

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Yes! Keep doing what works for you!

[@lynngallegos2727]

Thank you for this informatin. I have used all of the methods in my quilting and the last two that I have made I have just dry pressed and the results were much more accurate blocks and squarer quilts. I really enjoyed your demonstration.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome!

[@veronicak2759]

Excellent explanation and demo. Shrinkage is definitely a factor not to be ignored. Love your shirt!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so right! Thank you for your encouraging comments!

[@katherineelaine6182]

LOVE the project in the background! Also love the information you've shared. Thank you!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@elizabethlancia2377]

Oh wow! I never thought about this, but do have problems with block size. When I check my seam allowance it is always spot on. This has to be the reason. I do steam press. Must be why Lori Holt dry irons everything. 🧵🪡📍

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Pre-shrinking or dry iron either one will help control the shrinkage issue! We just have to determine what works best for us and be consistent.

[@terribishop5313]

An excellent video every new quilter should see. I cried in frustration quite awhile before learning this.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thank you for sharing!

[@sewbeitquilts]

This is an eye opener! Great video! Love your shirt and the blocks behind you!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thanks Fallon!

[@vikkivanveldhuizen2290]

Thanks for the demonstration!! I have had blocks shrink in the past. Now I know why😢.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@raeblain3109]

Great , great show. Thanks so much!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Exactly!

[@cynthiadecker1424]

Very interesting and informative. I have only been quilting for a year. I learn a lot from your videos

[@thesimplequilter7499]

I am so glad you are finding my videos helpful!!!

[@normatulloch376]

This is a great tutorial. Thank you.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@fernlamberson565]

Great info on shrinkage. Thanks Michelle!🐝🦕🐝🦕🐝🌻🌻🌻

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome! Thanks Fern!

[@karin0963]

What an eye opener! Thank you for explaining everything so well. I always prewash before cutting, then spray blocks with water and press, no steam. Glad to know it won't shrink anymore.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome!

[@marlamclaren8106]

Great job! Even though I have been starching for several years now I was surprised by dramatic shrinkage on the 5 inch blocks.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

When I first did this experiment I was amazed! I have done it several times just to make sure I was seeing correctly!

[@michellejaggard9657]

Thank your so much for sharing your journey to getting perfect quilting blocks, I too have had this happen to me numerous times and after seeing this I will starch my material and use steam before cuttiningh! May

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome!

[@carolbrumlow4395]

Good Job! I never realized there was that much shrinkage. Good to know. I will be changing my habit of spraying and steaming after cutting the pieces and qhile constructing the blocks. I'll save that until I am finished piecing. So glad I came across this video.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Carol, I'm so glad this video was helpful!

[@dianehuntley2493]

I like using starch. Havent had any issues when starching the yardage first, before cutting. Precuts do not allow for starching or any other wet additive. Lessons i have learned. Thanks for putting them all together in one spot😊

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are most welcome! Thanks for watching and sharing!

[@ccreel64]

This is why I’ve started not pressing with anything wet after cutting. Dry iron only until the top is complete, and only using slight moisture on a completed top if absolutely necessary.But that’s what works for me, YMMV (your mileage-shrinkage-may vary).Great video!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Yes, we have to determine what works for each of us and be consistent to improve the outcomes of our piecing!

[@patrosing251]

Thank you for the time and effort you invested so we can have success!!!

[@rachelburgener819]

Michelle, thank you for this fantastic demo. You did a great job at looking at quilters different options!!! ❤️😀

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome!

[@jenihansen7201]

Great information for us all. Thank you so much.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome!

[@jo-annevandermey2704]

Another great experiment! It has confirmed my practice of prewashing. I do to all my quilting fabric. I seldom ever buy precuts. I do buy fat quarters and wash them then dry until damp and iron. But nowcif I use precuts I probably would spritz them with water and let dry. I do use best press during some projects but since I prewash I havent worried about shrinkage.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Yes,pre-washing will take care of the shrinkage ahead of time!

[@Carol_Sews]

I absolutely agree. I prewash and then press with steam. I usually use Best Press and a dry iron just before I cut my pieces. I avoid precuts if possible. The one time that I used a jelly roll, I saturated it with Best Press.

[@patl869]

Great video. That's why you starch BEFORE you cut.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Exactly!

[@annolsen8276]

Very informative. Thank you Michelle. the more I watch videos on quilting, the more I have learned. I emptied my iron of water months ago after watching a video from Karen Brown @ justgetdone quilts. Tracy @thesewingchannel turned me onto a clapper to get those seams flat. They are quite expensive, so talked my husband into making me one.😊 I watched your video on starching and am thinking I need to do this more. Love your daughter's quilt in the background. Thanks again, awesome video.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@charlenehicks6292]

Thank you so muchI really appreciate this knowledge because I never gave it a thought before.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome!

[@michelleswistak1389]

I only use best press or starch when I press my fabric. I don't use steam anymore, that definitely distorted my blocks. I only use a dry iron start to finish, works best for me.

[@simplyquiltingwithnancysanders]

Same!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

We have to find what works for each of us and it sounds like you found what works for you! Thanks for sharing!

[@lanaboyer762]

My quilts don’t usually shrink until after I’ve quilted them on my mid arm frame and my batting is what shrinks the most, so I take that in mind when I put borders and backing on, but I do take a nap under all my quilts, wash them in cold water and line dry them, they all shrink a little. I want to make sure all my quilts are napable.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Lol! Quilts were mostly made to be used!

[@notesfromleisa-land]

I prestarch and press with steam my fabric before cutting, and no steam during block pressing. I use a Teflon pressing mat too for blocks with bias to prevent distortion. Fabric shrinkage aside (and a great demo!), here's my PSA on avoiding wonky blocks. Make a test block. Your thread and fabric choices will determine where on the continuum you "scant" 1/4 inch falls. I would also add that some block construction methods are better than others. Find and and adopt best practices that work for you. Be prepared to experiment and fail. Those are the best ways to learn. For blocks with lots of bias, using oversizing (slight) and trim down methods are essential in addition to fabric prep. Not only is bias unstable, but any error in sewing, cutting, pressing is magnified along an angle v. a straight cut. I rely on high quality specialty rulers to help with my high-bias blocks. (HST's, Triangle in Square, Diamond + Split Rectangle, Flying Geese). (Deb Tucker is my go-to as well as Creative Grids.) Making LeMoyne Star the traditional way? Upsize slightly your square and triangle insets and trim down. No block has more bias than a LeMoyne Star made traditionally. Wonk develops at every turn. Once I adopted the methods above, my blocks turn out perfect 99.5% of the time. Also, happy hour and block making sometimes does not go hand in hand for perfect blocks!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Great post! Thanks for watching and sharing!

[@beverlymusclow5691]

That makes me feel so much better!!! I'm a newbie and was wondering why things not matching up after do carefully cutting!!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Glad I could help!

[@dyane1869]

Wow. I have been searching the wide web for years and you are right! Not a peep about shrinkage! This vid made me feel like I'm NOT cray cray ...its NOT me! Lol. My fabric can also distort after starching & that's also something no one ever discusses too. Do you know how I can avoid distortion after starching & ironing. Thx so much for this vid! Lov all your videos 💜

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Dyane, Several things we do can distort the fabric in our blocks. It is important to handle our fabric carefully and be sure we are not stretching it when we handle it. Also it is important to press and not iron. There is a big difference in the two. We especially need to be careful when working with bias edges. It is also important to know where the cross and lengthwise grains are in your fabrics.

[@cindymckenzie9679]

This is a fantastic video for awareness. Thank you for taking the time to do this video and share! Cindy

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are most welcome! Thanks for watching and sharing!

[@pammeinzer6757]

Great 👍 tutorial. Thank you

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@anniegipson3734]

Thanks for a great video. Amazing info. I am the same as you. Never could get my blocks to measure up. Now I know why.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome!

[@juliemiller2658]

What a great video, thank you!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@gamk8348]

Great video. Very informative. Thank you!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mellissahannan7300]

I cannot tell you how amazing the timing of this video is!!! Yesterday I was thoroughly disgusted with the size of my blocks after some extremely careful sewing! This explains everything!!!! Thank you SO MUCH!!!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Glad I could help!

[@nancysmith9545]

Best pre-wash video on internet. I’m a convert…..ugh …. No matter how much I hate it. Didn’t know that misting one piece of a scrap quilt could throw off my most accurate cutting attempts. 😢

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thanks for sharing! You will be happy!!!

[@carolgoff4317]

Another informative, wonderful video. Im still sewing garments and i prewash in a washing machine on warm water and then throw it in the dryer. When i started to quilt, i also prewashed but when i started to use precuts, i quit prewashing. When i am done with quilt or quilt project, it gets the warm water, dryer treatment. I love the wrinkly crinkly look and feel of those items. I never really thought much about shrinkage. However, i just finished a good full sized quilt for my grandson and it shrunk! A lot! Oh my goodness. I think it was close to 5 -6 inches in both width and length! I was shocked that the entire quilt shrunk uniformly. By that, it wasnt a wierd funky rectangle - it just was not as big. His bed is in a corner and so id say it still fits! Huge eye opener. I really like that crinkle effect and am wondering if that would not occur if i preshrink my fabric. As always, your video very informative and interesting and thank you for all your efforts. That experiment was definitely scienfitic enough!!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Carol, You brought up some great points! I think it is possible you would have a less crinkly feeling with pre-shrinking your fabric; however, as you mentioned the batting will still shrink. We just have to experiment until we find the process we really like best.

[@kstorts7348]

I never prewash fabric but will saturate, with starch (a FQ or larger), BEFORE cutting. Also, I never use steam when pressing. Once I started doin this my accuracy increased 10 fold and block sizes came out perfect. I so hope newer quilters will see your video!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

It made such a difference for me! Thanks for sharing!

[@Yt-hb4wh]

Such an excellent video!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thank you!

[@deloresrast8543]

Good to know!!! Thanks!!!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Happy to help!

[@dbledni]

Great demo and good info! I rarely have problems with block size, unless I have tons of tiny pieces or my 1/4" seams are off. I almost never prewash, but I rarely steam or starch as I go along either. I steam press all fabric before I cut it tho. Of course I wash when the quilt is complete and it shrinks, but then the cotton batting shrinks 5-10% anyway. 🤷🏽‍♀️ Thank again! Love your videos! 😊

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@sherrysmith8194]

I appreciate all the information. I almost always prewash. A few years ago, I compared shrinkage of several solid off-whites. I measured one yard lengths and the washed them together and pressed them. They all shrank about 5% except for the Kona- it shrank only 2%. Now I don’t bother to prewash Kona cottons!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thanks for sharing!

[@nbc911]

Fabulous research and results.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thank you!

[@carold1280]

Wow this is great info and makes sense. I may rethink how I do things or just accept it as is. I was thinking my seam allowances were just off 😂 Thanks for posting this video 😊

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@RudyRay01]

I had the same problem with my blocks being too small so now I prewash all my fabric with color catchers. As a result not only do I prevent shrinkage and color bleeding, but I get much less lint buildup in my sewing machine.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

That's great!!! I am sure it has made a difference in block size!

[@helenmorgan4003]

Thankyou great demo will consider how I prep my fabrics in the future, in the past have always dry ironed, but occasionally used brest press if a block just want sit flat and still had distortion and had to make an extra block.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are most welcome!

[@wandawalker4191]

Great info! Thanks so much!!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@Mickey-jn8hz]

I have subscribed to your channel because this is one of the best videos I have watched about fabric shrinkage and it really opened my eyes to the fact that ALL fabric should be pre-washed BEFORE attempting any block construction…..thank you!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@johilpert9149]

Very informative video. Thank you for the great way you presented this information. It reinforces the fact that there is factors in every step of our sewing that will affect our final block size not just our seam allowance. PS I love the the quilt blocks behind you. Do they have a a name?

[@thesimplequilter7499]

The quilt is called “Mysterious” by Antler quilt design

[@lindyb78]

Great info. Would cutting the fabric a tad bigger, then trimming when block complete, counteract the shrinkage?

[@thesimplequilter7499]

This can be done in some instances. Sometimes I do cut the fabrics larger; however, it will all depend on the block design. You would have to do that to each sewn unit in the block and be sure you are doing the math correctly when making units with triangles.

[@nevafitzgerald2402]

OH MY!!! HERE I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS ME ALL THIS TIME🙅🙅. As a new quilter only 3years under my belt ,I know very little, could you do a video on how to pick a pattern to match the fabric ,? I spend a lot of money like us all on fabric and the ones they give to subscription boxes I don't think they do justice for the fabric and also I don't like most of them lol. Thank you some much for this vide❤❤🙏

[@thesimplequilter7499]

I will add that to my list video ideas and see what I can do. You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@diannplatt-roberts8692]

WOW! Great info.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thanks!

[@debraswofford3156]

I thought this was brilliant! It explains some of my difficulties. I haven't seen anyone demonstrate or simply (Ha) state it so clearly. As a result I am using only my hot dry iron and clappers for now. One project background is a soft fabric I'm sure would shrink with spray. The other is a scrappy quilt with 5.5" blocks and frames. I was noticing some that weren't the correct size even though my measurements were cut the same when I went to square up. It's going much better now! Kudos and Thanks!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kimramsey4029]

Thank you for a very informative and helpful video! Love your channel.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@donnabowen7318]

Very interesting video. Thank you for sharing it.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@jackiearagon1268]

Oh my gosh, I will not spray my blocks with water anymore. Thank you for your test.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are most welcome!

[@conniel.4601]

I wonder what the difference would be using quilt shop cotton vs Joanns or WM fabric.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

I used quilt shop fabric. It would be interesting to see if there was a difference.

[@pma613]

Very informative. Thank you so much. 🌱💛

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome!

[@lorrierunnals140]

Very insightful! I will definitely be making a my quilts a bit differently now. Thank you for this information.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome!

[@sueboller7183]

I starch or steam before I cut fabric, including all precuts and I square up as I build the blocks. With charm squares, I make seams a bit less than 1/4 and square up as I go since I have no control over the original size.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Great process! I bet your blocks are turning out nicely!

[@sueboller7183]

@@thesimplequilter7499 They’re ok, but without doing all the pre-sew stuff, they would be a mess and the fun of quilting would be lost to me. 😉

[@somebodysmother1060]

I couldn’t figure out why I didn’t have that problem too. Then it dawned on me, I pre-wash and steam press before cutting, I guess most people don’t do that.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Keep doing what works for you! Thank you for sharing!

[@connieking9873]

Not sure who said we should do starching and pressing before we cut our fabric. Then the other thing is steam or starch during building the block can really change our block. If we have our blocks cut and squared then you have no way to square up again. There are so many variables. Even depending on the weave. I am surprised our blocks ever come out right. Especially if your pattern has lots of pieces. Lately now we are back to pre wash or not. Then there is Bleeding of fabrics how to combat the cheaper fabrics coming from countries with less control. I don’t know how we ever have time to sew and create. I have been playing with thrift material. It takes out a lot of the variables and let’s me play. This information is so good.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Connie, Thanks for taking the time to watch and respond! There are a lot of variables that can affect the outcome of our blocks.

[@robintownley6515]

Thanks so much for this information! I am new to quilting and I am finding no matter how careful I think I am cutting, my blocks do not come out the same size. I have been using steam when pressing my fabric. I am going to try your suggestions (prewash or do not use steam while pressing) and see if my blocks come out better. Thanks again!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are most welcome!

[@maryannfeeney9763]

Awesome video. Will definitely change the way i press my blocks. I wonder what would happen if you press using the best press, not wait for it to dry and press. Do you think it would shrink?

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Yes because I have had that happen.

[@stephaniescheeler2036]

Thank you so much! I was having this same problem. I couldn’t understand what I was doing wrong. I was steaming

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Dyane, There are some things that can distort fabric and one is ironing instead of pressing. This is especially important when pressing triangles! If you iron instead of press and use a lot of pressure, you can easily distort your fabric. Also, we need to handle fabric carefully so we don't distort it with handling. It is also important to note where the crosswise and length wise grains are in your fabric.

[@livingweirdestherc6644]

I have not started anything or used best press. But I’m a newbie and will get some

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@dianemiller9050]

I have the same problem with my blocks not being the same size. I sometimes spray some with water, some with Best Press or just dry. I guess I need to be consistent, at least. Thanks.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Being consistent is important. We just have to decide which works best. There are a lot of things that can affect our block outcome and we can control some of them.

[@E_LithaBeth]

Prewashing and pressing would seem to eliminate the possibility of mixing up the warp and weft of the fabric while cutting. That's what I always did anyway. I mean you are planning on washing your quilts eventually, right?

[@thesimplequilter7499]

The majority of my quilts are meant to be used and washed. I don't typically wash the quilts I make for decoration (wall hangings, table runners, etc.)

[@sunseekerrs3087]

Thank you for this very informative demonstration! I had stopped prewashing fabric years ago and mostly prestarch now, but my blocks are still not perfect. I think I may be using too much water/starch when ironing. Well, not anymore! Thanks again, Michelle!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DD-ek8qc]

Good explanation. I'm one who prewashes all fabrics, then irons with Best Press to get out the wrinkles. I can't say as I've ever had a problem with this method. I don't use steam, simply because it seems with today's iron manufacturers want us to use tap water and irons end up leaking, some in nothing flat. I press seams with a dry iron as I go along and use a clapper to help flatten the seams. Works for me.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thanks for sharing!

[@denisebooth866]

I now soak with starch the yardage, dry on a rack and then press. Then cut. Less fraying also.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Pre-starching is a game changer!!!

[@amysheridan4496]

I have always washed and dried all mu fabric before using it, and don’t buy precuts, so no problem 😊

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Awesome!

[@simplyquiltingwithnancysanders]

I mist my fabric with a starch and water solution, then dry with a hot iron BEFORE cutting and piecing. However, I make my own precuts. I have very minimal to no shrinkage this way However, it probably wouldn't work on packaged precuts since patterns are based on the precut sizes.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Its good to know what effect your technique has on your fabric. It sounds like you have your system worked out! Awesome!

[@joannemccrone6645]

Thank you Michelle for a fantastic video. I have recently started fully saturating fabric with starch and love it. Do you think if you prewash then fully starch and iron the fabric before constructing the blocks it would prevent any shrinking? Lots of steps but worth it if it works.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

I think if you have any shrinkage after all that it will be minimal. I have considered doing all those steps also.

[@joannemccrone6645]

@@thesimplequilter7499 I will let you know how it goes.

[@karenboyd6293]

I think another thing to consider is that fabric these days is wound on the bolts off grain. When I try to straighten the grain of a fabric, I am shocked at how much I loose. It can be about 2 inches off per yard. This may not make a huge difference in small quilt pieces but on the backs and in garment making or other projects, the finished item can hang crooked. I wash all my fabrics first, if they are washable and not precut. I had a bad experience in the 70's. I made a lovely knit dress that was hemmed just above my knee cap. After the first washing, it became a mini dress and older ladies told me it was too short. So I wash first.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thanks for watching and sharing!

[@suziehemmer6116]

I usually prewash. I use a dry iron. Have s spray bottle for those just in case moments when pressing. I try to use the same measuring tools. Not jump around from one to another. Just cause. Are they really the exact same?

[@thesimplequilter7499]

I hope they all measure accurately.

[@cathywilliams3614]

I have a question as a new quilter. I use best press to my uncut fabric so the shrinkage occurs before I cut. Is this not what I am surprise to do?

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Lots of quilters use Best Press as they are making their blocks. What you are doing will help get rid of some of the shrinkage before you cut and sew with your fabric. That, in my opinion, is a good thing!

[@fransak2723]

I wonder how much shrinkage would occur with just a light misting of starch? I’ve also been using a pressing pen to help pressing seams open. I think the starching and or steam pressing before cutting is s the route I will strive for. Great video. Thanks.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You are so welcome! Just do the same experiment I did with some scrap fabric and see how much a 5" square shrinks when you lightly mist with starch. Be sure you let it dry completely. Then you will see based on your technique of starching. It was really an eye opener for me! Thanks for watching!

[@notesfromleisa-land]

I experimented with a pressing pen on some kaleidoscope blocks I was making. I got shrinkage (my fabric was prepped by not prewashed). Great that the block lay flat as a pancake--just not at the size I needed. I could accommodate the shrinkage in my piecing.

[@dbledni]

In my previous comment i meant to add: the strinkage with moisture is generally related to weft and warp; and strands or threads/sq". Fabric is usually stronger in the grain direction (warp). The more threads/inch the stronger the fabric. It makes sense there will be more shrinkage in the cross grain (weft) direction.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thanks for the information!

[@annhinz6326]

I'm currently doing the modern quilt mystery qal. The blocks were supposed to be 5.5 . I ended up squaring all them to 5 inches. I think most of my problem was i should've use a scant 1/4 inch. Some of those blocks had a lot of seams!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Could be…if you used steam or a spray bottle, that could have added to it.

[@helenpeddycord2241]

Great info Michelle! I learned the hard way as well😩 I always use starch and steam on my fabric BEFORE cutting into them. This way, any shrinkage happens prior to cutting and piecing my blocks. For precuts, I use a little Best Press and a DRY iron. I also measure precut squares after Best Press to check for shrinkage. This has helped tremendously for near perfect piecing💕🧵

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thank you so much for sharing!

[@helenpeddycord2241]

@@thesimplequilter7499 - Tank YOU Michelle💕🧵

[@barbaram6303]

I starch BEFORE it is cut. I do not starch 5 inch or 10 inch squares. Sometimes I will starch a jelly roll. My blocks come out great!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thanks for watching and sharing!

[@jenmckitrick]

Two days ago, I was making 4-patches from 10 inch squares. Simple, right? But they all were coming out smaller than 9.5". I was so frustrated, wondering what was going wrong! I had used steam to press them flat. Maybe that was it.

[@denisestilling2810]

Was it the 1/4 inch seam allowance that resulted in the loss of 1/2 inch?

[@jenmckitrick]

@@denisestilling2810 Yes, they should have come out 9.5". The problem was, they were SMALLER than 9.5".

[@helenpeddycord2241]

Thru the years, I learned not all precuts are exact! I have measured what was suppose to be 5” or 10” blocks and found them to be faulty. Even a few jelly rolls were not exactly 21/2 inches. This happens BEFORE pressing or treating the fabric with anything. This helps to know whether I use a full or scant 1/4 seam when piecing. 💕🧵

[@jenmckitrick]

@@helenpeddycord2241 I measured. They were at least 10 inches.

[@helenpeddycord2241]

@@jenmckitrick - It may have been the steam used when you were pressing them. Hope you were able to figure it all out and accomplish your project!💕🧵

[@sharonstroud8075]

Question: What happens when a pre-starched quilt is washed? Curious. I'm a prewasher and always use steam for pressing. My blocks are the correct finished size and my points are sharp.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

The starch just washes away. Pre-starching pre-shrinks fabric just like pre-washing does. Once the quilt is washed it will not longer have that stiff crisp feel. It will be just like the quilts for which you pre-washed the fabric.

[@sharonstroud8075]

Thank you.@@thesimplequilter7499

[@annelumsden5775]

Great demonstration. There is usually some slight shrinkage in cotton clothes so why did I not think the same would happen with quilting cotton. If I dipped my fabric in water and let it air dry before I cut to size that might help I guess. You have certainly made me think.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Thank you!

[@lyndabuchholz1216]

I always prewash my fabric but the shrinkage still happens. Maybe less than not prewashing. I haven't checked on that.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

I do think that is very likely; however, I think you are right in that if shrinks a lot less.

[@ruthtraveson7398]

What if you steamed your fabric prior to cutting it

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Try the little experiment I did using your steaming process and then you will know for sure. I think you will see some shrinkage. Unless the fabric has been preshrunk, we will see some shrinkage in 100% quilting cotton.

[@janieparker6543]

Would it depend on the quality of your fabric?

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Quality of fabric could make a difference; however, I think all quilting cottons will shrink unless they were preshrunk.

[@kathleenburdick4078]

omg! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!

[@thesimplequilter7499]

You're welcome!!

[@Marla.22]

Washing before hand to me makes the fabric look used. I don't prewash and never had any shrinkage at all. I think that shrinkage you show is for indvidual blocks

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Definitely keep doing what is working for you!

[@sophuzzy]

I prewashed fabric until the day I prewashed a jelly roll. That was four years ago, and besides the wrinkling there was the fraying. So. yes, I prewash yardage, not pre-cuts, and I use steam. I also discovered that different brands shrink more or less than other brands. Ugh.

[@thesimplequilter7499]

Different brands and different qualities of fabric will shrink differently. I think most of the shrinkage will get out with first complete saturation, but, it still could shrink a little more.