Prewashing the 2021 BOM fabric

[PleasantValleyFarm]

[quote="needhelp" post=153726]How did the regular paper-piecing work?

I'm having no problems at all using the regular paper-piecing.
Susan

[PleasantValleyFarm]

Same here. Same colors not shott cotton

[susanmcdonald]

I’m planning on the same soaking method. How did you make out? Did any color bleed? Thank you , Sue

[Diane W.]

Yes . So far one color ran, so I’m washing it again. I don’t know which one it was. I am putting a color catcher in each load and washing on cold. This reminds me how much I abhor prewashing fabric! So much work and tangles and wrinkles. You spend good money for really nice fabric and then you make a mess of it.

[susanmcdonald]

Thanks for your reply. It has helped me make a decision.....
Although I never pre-wash my fabrics, I will definitely prewash these shot cotton fabrics. I have done some research
and along with some colors bleeding, they also shrink 9%. That’s huge!!! I will never use them again!
So, I will soak for 30 minutes in cool water in my kitchen sink and use a small amount of laundry detergent along with color catchers.
I will machine dry, leaving them damp and iron immediately. I use Niagara spray instead of Best Press. Lots cheaper and doesn’t flake

[Dawn C.]

Thanks for your reply. It has helped me make a decision.....
Although I never pre-wash my fabrics, I will definitely prewash these shot cotton fabrics. I have done some research
and along with some colors bleeding, they also shrink 9%. That’s huge!!! I will never use them again!
So, I will soak for 30 minutes in cool water in my kitchen sink and use a small amount of laundry detergent along with color catchers.
I will machine dry, leaving them damp and iron immediately. I use Niagara spray instead of Best Press. Lots cheaper and doesn’t flake

Oh - I hate to hear you won't use shot cottons anymore. They have a look that really can't be replicated, closer to wool, and that is one reason I was attracted to the quilt. I wish I had bot a kit, I esp like the background of the art history. All cottons shrink, esp the 108 wide backs - can lose up to 4-5 inches on each side. Maybe after you see your quilt finished, you will change your mind. Shot cottons can be on the pricey side, to me their main drawback - lol.

[susanmcdonald]

I do love the look of the shot cotton, but not convinced all this prep work is worth it... I'll see in the end, I guess! thanks

[Leandra W.]

My kit came Thursday p.m. i cut the corners on each piece. Opened the fabric up and put each piece in the washer piece by piece along with color catchers. My washer is front load. I set on delicate...warm/cold water...short time to wash. When it finished I, too, had the biggest mess. It has taken me a day and a half to untangle all of the fabric and trim the strings off but i am going to have to trim more in order to clean up the edges. I made a picture of the strings. UNBELIEVEABLE! Could this be a lower end fabric? Wish i had used Grunge by Moda. I laundered it the 2 days before and no problems.

[Carole M.]

I prewashed all my fabric. I just measured my black fabric after ironing it. So between the unraveling and shrinkage I lost a whole 1/8 inch. So now I only have 7/8" of fabric. Will that be enough? I don't remember how to automatically insert "thank you". But I really want you to know how much we appreciate all the work you have and are doing for the BOM and I am loving it.

[Barbara B.]

I prewashed all my fabric. I just measured my black fabric after ironing it. So between the unraveling and shrinkage I lost a whole 1/8 inch. So now I only have 7/8" of fabric. Will that be enough? I don't remember how to automatically insert "thank you". But I really want you to know how much we appreciate all the work you have and are doing for the BOM and I am loving it.

You will have enough, with little left over.

Thanks!

[Debra J.]

I had to detangle, trim and press as well, but I'm liking the effect of the shot cottons. Next time I use them, I will take a few minutes to serge the cut edges before prewashing. Easier than the detangling and maybe they won't be as wrinkled from being tied up in knots.

[Dawn C.]

I had to detangle, trim and press as well, but I'm liking the effect of the shot cottons. Next time I use them, I will take a few minutes to serge the cut edges before prewashing. Easier than the detangling and maybe they won't be as wrinkled from being tied up in knots.

I prewash & dry fabric that is less then 1/2 yard in lingerie bags. I fill fairly full, but not stuffed. If dark colors I will stick a Shout color wash cloth in them. I'll put 4 bags in wash/dryer together & there will be a little raveling, but the pieces don't ball up together.

[Dawn C.]

I've never worked with shot cotton. Therefore, I'm not going to use my washing machine or dryer, since I know there will be shredding of cut ends and bleeding of intense colors.
My method: Hand-Wash lights together in an intensely warm (not hot) water and gentle soap in a large sink/tub. Separately wash the same way with the darks and bleeders with Color Catcher. Rinse. Lay the fabrics out on absorbent towels (old bath towels) on a waterproof work surface, towel rack, bathtub, shower or waterproof chair. They will dry overnight unless you're in a very cold climate. If so, give them more time. Ironing them slightly damp will make it easier to get nice flat surface. It may take extra time, but will save time by not dealing with shreds and I'll cut down material loss.

[Joselyn W.]

I received my kit yesterday and I have the same substitutions.

[Arlene G.]

Barb, did you use warm or hot water to pre-wash and did you use soap?