Janet's Books

Teach Yourself Quilting
A complete reference for beginners to experienced quilters, with step-by-step instructions for techniques and projects.

QUICK Little Quilts
Patterns, drawings, photos, plus a thorough basics section that's a perfect reference for quilts of any size.

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Fabric Care

Although some quilters never pre-wash their fabrics, I nearly always do, because I don't want any surprises later if fabrics shrink or lose their dyes.

Why Cotton Shrinks

When cotton fabric is manufactured, threads are stretched on a loom, pulling fibers into an unnaturally straight position. Added coatings help stabilize the threads, keeping them taut.

When fabrics are washed, both the agitation of the washing machine and the wicking action of the fibers allow the threads to return to a position more like that in which they grew—something that natural fibers always try to do. Putting the fabrics in a dryer gives fibers another opportunity to relax. Part of what we see as shrinkage is actually the relaxation of the natural fibers as they try to return to their natural state.

Shrinking Differences

Fabrics shrink at different rates. What if your block contains several different unwashed fabrics--and some of them shrink more than others? Uneven shrinkage could create puckers and distortions the first time the quilt is washed. That's a great way to achieve a vintage look for your new quilt, but if vintage isn't the look you're going for it's best to pre-wash.

Some Fabrics Bleed

Some cotton fabrics bleed, or lose their dyes, particularly reds, purples and other vivid colors. You sure don't want to discover that a fabric bleeds after you've spent hours sewing it into your quilt top.

Test fabrics before you use them, whether you prewash or not.

1. Submerge a small piece of a fabric in soapy water. Use the same soap you plan to wash the quilt with.
   
   
2. Let the fabric sit in the solution for awhile, then check to see if the water is discolored.
   
   
3. Remove the patch and place it on a white paper towel. Wait a bit and check to see if the dye has bled onto the toweling.
   
   
4. If the fabric bleeds, do the bleed test again. If bleeding continues, do not use the fabric in your quilts.
   
   
5. If you can't bear not to use the fabric, purchase a commercial dye fixative, such as Retayne, to help set the dye. Use it on the fabric, following the instructions carefully, then try the bleed test again.

Chemical Sensitivity

Our quilting fabrics arrive from the manufacturer coated with sizing, protectants and other chemicals that give the fabrics a nice, crisp feel and make them easy to rotary cut. If you are sensitive to chemicals, handling coated fabrics or breathing small particles that might flake off of them could be a problem.

Prewashing removes most of the loose chemicals from fabric. If you prefer to work with stiffer fabric, use spray starch or sizing to add body. Yes, that introduces a chemical, but it's one you have control of. Read the ingredients list on the can to find out exactly what's in the sizing.

Prewashing Basics

I wash my quilting cottons in cool water with Orvus soap, which is available online and from most quilt shops. You can keep wrinkles to a minimum by removing fabrics from the dryer as soon as they are dry--before they become overly hot.

Some quilters like to press the fabrics right away. I prefer to press them when I'm ready to use them. After removing fabrics from the dryer I use clothespins to suspend segments from hangers until I'm sure all moisture is gone, then I fold the fabrics and stash them away until I'm ready to quilt.

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©Janet Wickell, 2000 & 2005