Washing fabric before use.

[Lisa T.]

I know Alex washes her fabric before use. I want to do that as well.
My question is about pre-cuts. I have a stash (not really big) of 2 1/2 strips. I am sure it is not a good idea to wash them in the washing machine but what if I was to hand wash very gently and hang to dry?

Any thoughts on this?

[Anne B.]

I think that would proby work, I absolutely prewash all my fabrics & then starch as I go. I have always been very leary of jelly rolls & the like because of the fact that I prewash.

[Marti O.]

I have washed the 2 1/2 inch strips before. I will never do that again - dryer made them a tangled mess. I am a big fan of washing before use but I didn't have good luck. That's my experience.

[Kellie M.]

I've found that if you throw a bath towel in the dryer it helps keep the smaller pieces from tangling. And, it also just helps to keep all sizes from wrinkling too bad.

[Eileen K.]

What about using a lingerie bag?

[Lisa T.]

I like the mesh bag idea! Thanks

[Myra U.]

I guess we are dinosaurs. I always wash my fabric. Always. But, as you say, what do you do with pre-cuts? I saw a blog where the signature blogger used a salad greens spinner and "washed" them in that. I still do that to my pre-cuts, using it to wash them after I pull them apart, then add some mild detergent for delicate fabrics, then rinse them until there is no more "suds" and the water runs clear. I am of the opinion that I don't want all the chemicals they use in dyeing, stretching the fabric for use, and all then ironing them and rolling onto a board (bolt), then shipping them. I know that some material is subjected to things like formaldehyde and other harsh chemicals and I don't want that in my quilts, especially in the baby blankets I make. And they come out smelling and handling so much better. Just my opinion, but I feel like I have a right to my opinion, too.