Paper piecing

[Beverly C.]

Is it safe to wash a quilt top before it is quilted? I have an 18 year old paper pieced quilt top approx 50 x 50". This is made up of 3 inch squares each with 16 peices and regular computer paper was used. Impossibly hard to get every shred of paper out. I thought washing might get the last paper bits caught in the thread. I plan on putting solid borders on it to stabilize it regardless.

Thank you from Scottsdale for input.

Janee

[Nancy R.]

Washing will cause all of the edges of the piecing to fray. You might be able to soak it gently, but I imagine that just a soaking wouldn't get any of the paper out. Small bits of paper shouldn't be a big problem in the quilt since it will all be caught on the inside and it will probably break down in time. I've left in the little bits that you just can't get out and haven't had any problems, but I don't do a ton of paper piecing.

[Nancy R.]

Thanks Nancy. I didn't think about the fraying. What a disaster that would be. I thought that the paper bits would become part of the batting and it doesn't bother me. I like to get options before I end up with a mistake. Thanks again for your reply.

[Lorna B.]

I had also heard that you shouldn't wash a quilt top before layering and quilting. But a quilt top I had been given was filthy and smelled. Someone in the house must have been smokers. I did carefully soak the top in the bath. I had to change the water a couple different times as it was dark brown. Then I laid it out to dry. Yes there was some fraying but it was worth it. It's 3rd or 4th in the line up of projects to finish.

[Lorna B.]

I agree with both of the other opinions. There have been antique quilts that the paper piecing paper was found inside. It was another insulation factor so not a problem.

[ANNE E.]

What about wetting the bits of paper, maybe with a cotton bud, and then pulling the bits out with tweezer. How big are they?
Anne

[ANNE E.]

Thanks again everyone for the input. I am not going to worry about stitch size remnants of white paper. I don't want to put any needless wear and tear on thread and fabric by being too aggressive. I'll use cotton batting. It'll be like the old time stuff that still had the cotton seeds in it! LOL. This is not an archival piece, all hugs with eyes closed.

[ANNE E.]

This is not an archival piece, all hugs with eyes closed.

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