Novice quilter seeking help

[Sandra W.]

My first post here as a novice quilter. Apologies if its an obvious question - but if you don't ask you don't learn do you?

Do you wash a cotton batting before assembly and finishing? I understand there is some shrinkage if you use as it is, and I'm not sure I want that. Advice would be most welcome.

Regards
Sandra (UK)

[Barbara B.]

I usually use Quilter's Dream Cotton or Hobb's Heirloom 80/20 cotton/poly and don't prewash either of those. The shrinkage is small and I like the way it makes my quilts look--I use reproduction fabrics alot. In years past, I've used Warm and Natural, a slightly thicker cotton batt, and found more shrinkage so I would pre-soak then spin that one. Be cautious not to agitate a batt in the washer--I once forgot to stop the machine before it agitated and took a $25 batt out of the washer in hunks--I was AGITATED!

[Barbara B.]

I use a cotton batting and I do not was it first but I like the look I get with the shrinkage.

[Cheryl K.]

It's really important to read the instructions that come with the batting. Cotton battings like Warm & Natural, Hobbes Heirloom cotton Blend batting, etc. have instructions for pre-treating the batt to preshrink. I have a top loading machine and soak my Hobbes batting in cool water, spin it dry, then lay it on a spare bed to air dry. I do not aggitate the batt in the wash cycle, nor do I dry it in the dryer before I assemble my quilt for quilting.

Some cotton battings do not recommend pretreating, so be careful. Even without pretreating, the battings will shrink about 5% so you won't have a situation where a full size quilt shrinks dramatically to a twin.

Hope this helps.

kim

[Cheryl K.]

I love Warm & Natural and have never prewashed it. When the quilts are washed there is minimal shrinkage and I like the look.

[Sandra W.]

Thank you to all you Ladies who took the time to reply. Your advice is greatly appreciated.

Happy New Year to you all

Sandra (UK)

[Hannelore N.]

Sandra, 'Asding' is a web-based business in the UK, specializing in wadding. I haven't checked recently, but they used to do a sample pack of various waddings. That might be something for you to consider, because you could wash those small pieces and see how they behave, before committing to a large chunk of wadding.

Lorchen

[Sandra W.]

Thank you so much Lorchen, I bought my batting from there don't know why I didn't see that at the time. Senior moment!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheerio
Sandra(UK)