prewashing BOM kit fabrics

[Denise C.]

I have the kit fabric Fizz Sedona Star from TQS and need to know if there is enough to prewash the yardage.

[lsipes]

Why do you want to pre-wash?

[Denise C.]

I expect the quilt to be washed and want to minimize shrinkage

[Lotti D.]

I'm very allergic to the stuff the new fabrics are treated with, if I don't prewash I'm continuously sneezing, fighting a runny nose and runny, itchy eyes... NOT FUN :roll:

[Judith A.]

Some fabrics bleed - especially the deeper colors. Reds, deep blues and blacks seem to be the worst. I don't like surprises like that. I have learned the hard way to prewash any fabric for a quilt that will be washed later.
I serge the raw edges of the fabrics to prevent fraying and then wash them with with similar colors, with 1 teaspoon of Synthrapol per yard of fabric. (All the greens together, reds together, etc.) I would much rather be safe than sorry, after putting a lot of money and time into a big quilt. The shrinkage in fabric when I serge and wash is insignificant - even when the yardage in kits is cut very economically.

Judy Austin

[lsipes]

I blocked Sarah's quilt once the quilting was finished (and also mine) and I can tell you that there isn't much bleed with these fabrics. I submerged the quilt in water, took it out of the tub, pinned it to the floor and let it air dry.
The way to get around bleeding (though that has really been something the fabric companies have pretty well taken care of) is to simply wash your quilt with a couple of Shout color catchers thrown in.
As far as there being enough yardage to pre-wash, I can't say. I just hope you remember to wash your backing as well!