Ever washed a whole BOLT of fabric before?

[Jo H.]

I just ordered a whole bolt of fabric (15 yards) for my Dear Jane quilt. I'm planning on handquilting and thought that I should wash it when it arrives to remove the chemicals.

Has anyone ever washed an entire bolt of fabric before? Do you think I should just unroll, and unfold it and then put it all in the washer?

And then I suppose I should dry it just enough so that it's still a little damp and then iron it dry. YUCK.... just thinking about ironing 15 yards of fabric is making me a little sick to my tummy. ops:

JoJo

[Jo H.]

I'm not one that minds ironing but 15 yards, I don't think so. Never had that much material so can't answer your question but I'm sure others will give you sound advice. Bobbi

[Paula D.]

I might look into taking it to the cleaners, and having THEM wash and press it! But also curious - why 15 yards, does it have to be all in one piece? Can't you cut it up and wash as you go? Yeah, for me it would be checking out the cleaners!! 8)

[Jo H.]

Oh no -- it doesn't have to be all one piece. It will be in a million pieces by the time I'm done. That's probably a better idea to just cut off a yard at a time and wash.

Although taking it to the cleaner does sound appealing. I'll have to call and find out how costly it would be.

I was so excited that my local quilt store was offering 50% off if you bought at least 7 yards. Otherwise, just the background fabric for my Dear Jane quilt would be a painful expense.

JoJo

[Diana U.]

JoJo,
I wouldn't take it to the cleaners. They are just trying to make it flat and not straight on the grain. I have purchased bolts before and lop off a few yards at a time. If you want it for the back, you might measure that off first and set it aside.

Diana

[Frances L.]

JoJo,
I've done that before. Just unwound the whole thing and put it in the washer. Yes it took time to iron it. The hardest part was refolding in so the selvedges lined up.
Frances

[Frances L.]

Whatever you decide to do (I like the bit at a time option!) don't forget to unfold the central crease before you wash it or you will have a faded line for always down the centre. :roll:

[Barbara C.]

Jo Jo..... You will save your sanity if you divide the bolt of fabric up before you wash and dry it. Otherwise the fabric will get twisted (like sheets do) and you will have creases that were not there before! Very hard to get out.

I just did 50 yards of fabric. They were different amounts. 1 yd, 2 yd and 3 yd pieces. I did learn a lesson. Take the fabric out while still damp. Some I did this with and some I didn't. The fabric I dried all the way was a mess and very hard to iron smooth. I didn't iron it all at once. I just smoothed it out as it came out of the dryer and hung it over the roller bars on my longarm. Some of it that I got smoothed out while damp only needed the selvage ironed. :-)

Go ahead and rip up that bolt and do it all at once and get it out of the way. You will thank yourself later.

Barbara

[Wanda M.]

JoJo, I have found that I'm more happy if I use more managable size pieces. I'm guessing that this is the reason for the fat quarter craze!!
I had a 3 yard piece that I washed last week. First I cut it in half, but when it came to untangling (is that a word!) the fabric, I wished that I had cut it in one yard pieces.
Of course this would not work well for backings!
Good luck with the Dear Jane!
Wanda

[Diane O.]

I would just leave it on the bolt, and cut off as much as you need, when you need it, and wash that.
However, if you decide to wash it all at once, using Mary Ellens Best Press is great to get out wrinkles. I use it all the time on my yardage, and it works wonders.

Diane in Colorado Springs

[Eileen K.]

JoJo,
I'd wash it 2 yards at a time. That will give you plenty to work with for the time being.
Eileen

[Jo H.]

Thanks everyone! You're all the best.

JoJo

[Jo H.]

Just had to add my 2 cents. I recently washed 7 yards at once for a backing. Before putting the fabric in the washer and dryer, I opened the fabric and folded the fabric back on itself until I had an accordian - type configuration. I then put large safety pins along one selvaged edge. I washed the whole "package" and dried with the pins in the material. I have been doing this for years and never a rust stain from the pins or a rip in my fabric. I learned this technique at a guild meeting years ago.

[Barbara C.]

terrina..... What an interesting thing you do! I am definitely going to try this. I am on a wait list for a Blue Dear Jane BOM. I'm not sure if I supply my own background fabric. If I do I am going to try your method. Thanks!

[Jo H.]

Just had to add my 2 cents. I recently washed 7 yards at once for a backing. Before putting the fabric in the washer and dryer, I opened the fabric and folded the fabric back on itself until I had an accordian - type configuration. I then put large safety pins along one selvaged edge. I washed the whole "package" and dried with the pins in the material. I have been doing this for years and never a rust stain from the pins or a rip in my fabric. I learned this technique at a guild meeting years ago.

Great idea! Thanks for sharing.

JoJo