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The Sew What’s New Archive
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From: newtosew
Date: 10-07-2005, 03:09 PM (1 of 7)
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Hello everyone, I have never quilted anything in my whole life but I am ready to give it a try. I want to make a special quilt for a baby girl that we are waiting for. I have gathered some cotton fabrics from the scrap section of a fabric store and I am ready to begin. I have read that the fabrics should be washed before quilting. Is this always true? How do you keep the raw edge fabric from fraying during the washing and drying? I will appreciate any advice. Thank You, Newtosew |
User: newtosew
Member since: 10-04-2005 Total posts: 2 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 10-07-2005, 06:01 PM (2 of 7)
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I have a serger so I serge the raw edges before washing and drying my quilt fabrics.. If you only have a sewing machine, you could do a zigzag stitch close to the cut edges, or some people use pinking shears, but I don't really trust the pinking shears idea .. One day I had some ugly fabric so I decided to see how much would ravel with no treatment, .. This was a rather loose weave cotton, and it raveled 1 and 1/2 inches off my total yardage.. Most of the time I bring my fabric home, take it to the sewing room, serge ends of each cut and then take it to the washer immediately.. When I get ready to sew , the fabric is also ready with no delays.. Good luck with your baby quilt.. I'm sure it will be great..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: carman
Date: 10-07-2005, 07:07 PM (3 of 7)
i wash EVERYTHING before its gets to my sewing room, there is no right and wrong answer to this one, it is all personal preference, some people like the stiffness (the sizing) i personal hate it and can't get rid of it soon enough  i have washed fat quarters to meters and i get no raveling, but only wash mine for about 5 minutes, enough for it to agitate a few minutes and then spin, its the drying where the shrinking, if it is going to shrink, will happen, and ALL cotton will shrink, some more than others.what kind of pattern are you using. |
User: carman
Member since: 04-17-2000 Total posts: 692 
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From: marl
Date: 10-08-2005, 10:57 AM (4 of 7)
| I like to wash fabric before I use it. That way bad stuff like excessive shrinkage or colour running will show up before I've spent time cutting and sewing a project. If your pieces are not too big, washing them in a mesh laundry bag that is made for "delicates" will keep any fraying to a minimum. I've also read that cutting each of the corners off at a 45 degree angle reduces yardage loss through fraying. Hope this helps. |
User: marl
Member since: 12-03-2004 Total posts: 16 |
From: Hogmami
Date: 10-08-2005, 11:23 AM (5 of 7)
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I put a dry towel in the dryer with the washed fabric. This has seemed to help. I also serge the ends.
Carolyn
Michigan |
User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004 Total posts: 800 
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From: newtosew
Date: 10-08-2005, 07:02 PM (6 of 7)
 A big thanks to everyone who replied. It is greatly appreciated. I am sure I will need more help as I start sewing the quilt.Newtosew |
User: newtosew
Member since: 10-04-2005 Total posts: 2 |
From: LadySloPokes
Date: 10-17-2005, 10:30 AM (7 of 7)
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When I bring new fabric home from the store, I keep it in the plastic bag it came in until I'm ready to use it. I will wash my fabric right before I'm ready to use it. This way I know it's clean and preshrunk and ready to go. I keep all of my fabric in large covered plastic bins when I'm not sewing with it yet.
Cookie
LadySlo...yes am I, but hey, I'm gettin' there! Are you sure it's supposed to look like this?! Proud owner of Singer Quantum Decor 7322 & Singer Quantum Futura CE 200.. "A balanced diet is having chocolate in both hands!" |
User: LadySloPokes
Member since: 08-15-2005 Total posts: 198 
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