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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: anamariacries
Date: 08-06-2006, 02:48 AM (1 of 13)
| Do I need to do this or can I just you use it the way I bought it I have been buying fashion fabric from walmart-hancock-hobby lobby. I making curtains and purses? |
User: anamariacries
Member since: 08-01-2006 Total posts: 11 |
From: Hogmami
Date: 08-06-2006, 04:54 AM (2 of 13)
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I always wash my fabric first. I didn't one time for a pair of curtains. They shunk the first time I washed them. Learned my lesson. But some people don't wash first. Its really up to you.
Carolyn
Michigan |
User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004 Total posts: 800 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 08-06-2006, 08:57 AM (3 of 13)
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No, you don't have to. But sooner or later you will wish you did! I like to get the sizing out to get a better idea of the hand of the fabric and how the garment will eventually fit. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: paroper
Date: 08-06-2006, 10:05 AM (4 of 13)
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I rarely do. I would never prewash fabrics for curtains (not all curtain fabric is meant to be washed anyway.) Also, most curtains in the house are not regularly washed (same with purses). The exception would be if I were using something like denium which is know will shrink remarkably or if I have two fabrics that will shrink at different rates on somthing that I know will fade on another fabric...like applying red ruffles to a white curtain.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: esrun3
Date: 08-06-2006, 02:00 PM (5 of 13)
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I always prewash unless it's not washable. For curtains, purses, it would depend on how often you think you might wash them. I'm making a valance for my soon to be new granddaughter's nursery and have washed that fabric already-just in case they get the urge to wash.
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: SummersEchos
Date: 08-06-2006, 06:47 PM (6 of 13)
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I always pre-wash my fabrics, unless they are dry clean only. The highest reason is for pre-sinking before I take the time to sew something up. Next is to get all the chemicals out of the fabirc before I sew with it.
Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 08-06-2006, 07:39 PM (7 of 13)
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I always prewash if its washable as well. Part of the reasoning is (and I don't really know if this is true or not) but fabric from overseas I heard is treated with insecticides before it is allowed into the country, so it gets washed, especially if I'm sewing for the babies!!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Longblades
Date: 08-08-2006, 10:31 AM (8 of 13)
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Many RTW items say right on the tag that you should wash before wearing too. As a teenager I made the mistake of wearing a brand new pair of bluejeans, unwashed, horse back riding. The blue stains on my skin were hard to wash off, LOL. One of my sewing teachers said you should always use your laundry detergeant when you pre-wash something. She said it is often the reaction of ingredients in the deterg. with the chemical and fibres in your fabric, especially synthetic fabric, that actually causes the shrinkage or colour change or softer feel of the fabric. All things you might want to be aware of BEFORE sewing the stuff up. |
User: Longblades
Member since: 07-14-2005 Total posts: 182 |
From: Mom of Six
Date: 08-08-2006, 10:41 AM (9 of 13)
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I always prewash! Sometimes even if it is marked dry clean only. That way if there is a flaw or weak spot in the fabric it usually shows up. Also some fabrics that say dry clean only wash up great & the only way to know is to try.
Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 08-08-2006, 11:17 AM (10 of 13)
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some fabrics that say dry clean only wash up great Rayon and silk come to mind. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 08-08-2006, 09:56 PM (11 of 13)
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WHAT Dorothy! No more satan! (sorry - I just HAD to)
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Mom of Six
Date: 08-08-2006, 10:19 PM (12 of 13)
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Sata(i)n is one fabric I don't usually prewash.
Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115
|
From: Kaitlinnegan
Date: 08-09-2006, 12:25 AM (13 of 13)
I (almost) always pre-wash, but most of my sewing so far has been on cottons. I did make a polyester/spandex skirt -- I didn't pre-wash it since I figured polyester never shrinks, but I kind of wished I had. There was a crease in the fabric that I thought would come out with washing, but never really did. It's not too noticeable, though, and I made the whole skirt for about $2 anyway..so I can't really complain. 
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User: Kaitlinnegan
Member since: 03-20-2006 Total posts: 222 
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