To wash or not

[Marion D.]

I just finished my quilt top and was wondering if there was any way to wash it before I start sandwiching - I want to be able to iron the quilt top but I'm worried that if there are any stains on it, the iron will set them.

[Judith A.]

The danger is that your seams will fray badly.

If you are worried about setting stains in your completed quilt top with an iron, before quilting it, it might be wise to carefully examine your quilt top for stains, and then spot clean any questionable areas by hand first.

I had one old quilt top given to me that I didn't want to quilt without washing it. I filled up the bathtub with room temperature water and a little Synthrapol. Then laid the quilt top down in the water and let it soak for several minutes, and then gently swished it around with as little agitation as possible.
Then I rolled it between two cotton sheets and large towels.
Then laid it flat to dry on a bed under a ceiling fan.
When the quilt top was almost dry, I pressed the seams.
Then I blocked it and quilted it.
It turned out fine.

Judy Austin

[Judith A.]

I just bought a white on white and a jelly roll. I hope I will be o.k. not to wash until the top is finished and then use a couple of color catchers in the wash.

[Marianne G.]

I have succesfully used colour catchers when washing quilts made with pre-cut fabric. I have also had a disaster where the colour catchers did not do any difference whatsoever. I think it very much depends on the company who has produced the fabric that goes into the pre-cuts.
I am afraid this is not helpful but what I will suggest you do is to cut a square off each jelly roll strip and the same number of whites - piece them together to a checker board block and wash it with a colour catcher to see if any runs.
Good Luck
Marianne

[Marianne G.]

Marianne,
That’s a terrific idea! And that might be another way to record what fabrics were used in the quilt.

[Marianne G.]

and if the colours do not run you have a block for the back of the quilt or even use it as a label especially if you use an embroidery machine to create your labels

Marianne

[Marianne G.]

How would you wash it? And do you use any oils in the process, I wonder? I know a good place to buy some animal oils but I wonder if it's possible use in the process of quilting or after. Thanks.