How To Preshrink Fabric For Sewing

When you sew garments, you work hard to get the size correct and make your wok count--but if it shrinks when you wash it, your work can be ruined! Watch Deborah Moebes of Whipstitch walk through TWO techniques to prepare your fabric for sewing--whether you plan to launder the finished garment, or dry clean it.
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[@kenmahoney9160]

This is treasure! I love how you think about fabric and the whole process of sewing garments. Fantastic. Wow!

[@Whipstitch]

Thank you so much! Have fun sewing!

[@davidtoc]

Very very helpful video. And totally helped to change my mindset around prep work. Also, I loved when you made the sound of the ironing board opening. :)

[@Whipstitch]

Ha! I'm so glad you liked it! The sound effects make it feel like you're RIGHT THERE, lol. Have fun sewing!

[@brookelynnhunter]

thank you so much I was on a hunt trying to figure out which side was the raw edge and how to finish it!!! You're a lifesaver❤

[@Whipstitch]

@@brookelynnhunter Hooray! I’m so glad it was helpful for you!

[@SewingMamaOf2]

Thank you for explaining and showing how to overcast with a zig zag stitch. Another video just told us to zig zag the raw edges, but didn’t elaborate at all. I’m very new, so I need to be taught every fine detail. Which you seem to be very good at. So thank you!

[@Whipstitch]

I'm so glad this was helpful! Some instructions forget what it felt like to NOT know how to do something, and I feel like I need each. little. detail. That way, I can see how the dots connect!

[@gmahala3189]

Thank you for taking the time to show me how to prepare my fabric. Because I was feeling lik it was a bother but necessary.

[@Whipstitch]

It can be a bother, but it's so necessary!! I'm glad this was helpful!

[@rosemarieschleupen747]

Just found your channel. Thank you for being so inspiring about the sewing process. It has definitely been a game changer for me. Keep up the good work

[@Whipstitch]

Thank you!!

[@JeanneMarie67]

Thank you for this super clear video on how to pretreat my wool fabric, plus the bonus philosophy on how to approach the non-fun parts of sewing (with the mystery novel analogy)! I just love the moment of sewing the first construction seam, but it’s a long road to get there. What has your experience been with preshrinking denim? I’ve prewashed denim twice and had it still shrink a little, so I think I’m going to default to three times to be safe.

[@thistree9028]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@Whipstitch]

Yay! Thanks for watching!

[@bluejasmine83]

Brilliant video. Thanks so much!

[@Whipstitch]

I’m so glad you liked it! Have fun sewing!

[@mariebellwood4376]

Just signed up for the mystery quilt 2023. I'm ready to get learning!! Love your video you seem like a real genuinely nice person. Looking forward to it!

[@Whipstitch]

Thank you, Marie!! We can't wait to quilt with you!

[@blufaerie]

Thanks for this. I have a serger but I also hate rethreading it so this overcasting with zig zag is perfect! I actually love the prep work! It makes the finished garment much better! I also dislike the finishing step/chapter!😂

[@Whipstitch]

I used to use my serger for finishing the raw edges, but it felt so wasteful! So much thread! Overcasting seems much more efficient. And yes!! I’ve learned to view the prep work as much more meditative. It almost feels like sewing with less pressure? If that makes sense? But hemming !! Argh!! 😂

[@marymb6342]

What about hand washing wool and air drying? Just curious as after making wool skirts etc I want to be able wash my clothes myself and not just use the dry cleaners? Very interesting, thanks for the video ❤

[@EvaCremeMousse]

Never thought I'd be laughing so much watching a fabric prep video😂

[@Whipstitch]

Haha! Glad you enjoyed it! 😀

[@m0ther0ne]

I don’t pre wash my quilting fabric, but I do heavily starch it, which does shrink it. The thing that has always bothered me is, does the batting shrink?

[@Whipstitch]

I asked this question a few years ago! Batting DOES shrink, but because I love the modern “crinkle” look, I don’t preshrink mine. Some quilters do tho!

[@jojosewist8921]

What zig zag length do you use for securing edges

[@mousemoonwalker]

Would you stich around and wash cotton that is going to be used for a quilt?

[@Whipstitch]

This is such a good question! NO, I don’t prewash for quilting. Since I like the “crinkle” effect on quilts, and they don’t need to fit my body, I prefer to leave quilting fabrics unwashed so they’re slightly stiffer and easier to sew. Pre-shrinking ONLY applies to fabrics I’ll make into garments. Hope that helps!

[@anthropomorphicpeanut6160]

Please ignore this comment as I'm leaving it to my future self: future me, you are working with KNIT fabric

[@melindamercier6811]

😂