Pre-Wash Charm Packs/Jelly Rolls???

[Eileen K.]

Hi - I am just starting to use these wonderful inventions (charm packs, jelly rolls, etc...don't know how I've over-looked these!!) and because the quilts I will be making will be used and washed, and because I usually do pre-wash, what the heck do you do with these little bits of cloth if you are a pre-washer? especially if they are brighter, more saturated colors going on a light background?

Thanks!

[Jo H.]

I've been working on a hexie quilt and using small 4 by 4 inch squares. I've been washing them as well in a small plastic tub that I fill with hot water and Synthrapol. I've been amazed at how much bleeding those small pieces can generate. I continue to repeat the washing exercise until the water runs clear. I have tossed a few pieces that just wouldn't stop bleeding. Personally, I think you are wise to wash them. You will have shrinkage so on a jelly strip that may cause you problems if you are following a pattern at requires 2.5 inches and after you wash you end up with 2 1/2 inches. {EDIT Oops! I meant if you end up with 2 1/4 inches}

[Robin G.]

I do one of three things: (1) put them in a lingerie bag, then into the washer. I have a couple of these bags set aside just for quilting fabric. (2) I bought a clean salad spinner that I dedicate just to small bits of fabric. I wash and rinse the fabric in the sink, then use the salad spinner to get most of the water out, then into the dryer. And (3), if it's just a couple of small pieces, I just hold it under warm water in the sink, squeeze them dry, and hang them up. Let us know what you come up with!

[Jo H.]

Great idea Robin for using a salad spinner!

[Jo H.]

Oh, cool ideas - lingerie bag and salad spinner! Thanks!

[Jo H.]

for charm packs, after you have washed them, if you lay them out flat, without any air bubbles on your cutting mat/clean windows/any other smooth waterproof surface, blot most of the water off with a towel, and then leave them to dry you won't have to iron them, and you can tease them back to square :wink:

[wendy w.]

:shock: :shock: I wouldn't wash charm packs and jelly rolls, they'll end up all stringy. I am a bit of a bodger :wink:

[wendy w.]

I am loving all of the feedback - everyone has a different way of doing things, right? (twiglet - what is a "bodger"??)

Thanks - Cleta

[Lotti D.]

I'm a bit weary of washing small bits...
Generally i try not to mix washed and unwashed bits... But as most of the jelly roll or whatnot pieces will be used in scrappy colorful mixes, I just make sure I wash the quilt as soon as its all sewn together... Once backing is on I baste it, go around the edge with a zigzag and put the whole thing in the washing machine with a little detergent and a few color catchers... If any colors do run, the color catchers will generally take care of it... I then starch the whole thing, square it up as best I can and get to the quilting... That way at least I won't have the sneezes during the quilting process and any uneven shrinking can also be dealt with...

[E.M. T.]

[wendy w.]

Cleta my definition of bodger is that I make things work without always looking for the perfect technical way.

Actually there is no such word but to bodge is to make or adjust in a false or clumsy way.

I do try sometimes to do things really well though my efforts at the Laura Nownes class ended with some cut off points :roll:

If you are going to go to the effort of washing jelly rolls why not buy a selection of long quaters and cut them yourself after washing :? be easier to manage.

[Jo H.]

I haven't had any problems with raveling or excess strings on the small pieces that I've done, but I'm mostly letting them soak in the hot water and then I've been ironing them dry once I've spritzed them with some starch. It takes a bit of time but I've realized that I'm a process person so this is actually an enjoyable experience that I do while hubby and I watch a movie.

Here's my accomplishments so far. This is a very addicting project because each hexie is a unique fabric so no two pieces are the same.

[Jo H.]

Okay - so a bodger is very much like a "shmoogler"..which is what I generally am...I just shmoogle things together until it works.

I think I will try small quilts both ways...am doing some Linus quilts (so quite small) which is as good a time as any to test things out. If it doesn't work to NOT prewash and looks bad, I won't contribute the quilt. I can always take it apart and over-dye or discharge the pieced top and see what becomes of it. Usually stuff like that makes for a great back-ground in another project.

Lotti - I love color catchers! They make life so much easier.

Thanks, everyone!

Jo Jo - that's lovely!!

[Jo H.]

Cleta my definition of bodger is that I make things work without always looking for the perfect technical way.

Actually there is no such word but to bodge is to make or adjust in a false or clumsy way.

I do try sometimes to do things really well though my efforts at the Laura Nownes class ended with some cut off points :roll:

If you are going to go to the effort of washing jelly rolls why not buy a selection of long quaters and cut them yourself after washing :? be easier to manage.

And there was I thinking that you had taken up turning chair legs on a pole lathe :lol: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodging

[E.M. T.]

The things we learn !