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From: Bobby's Girl
Date: 04-06-2007, 08:31 PM (1 of 14)
| I haven't made any clothing in years. I'm going to make a patch work type jacket with 100% cotton material. I was told by the instructor I don't have to prewash the fabric, just the muslin that the pieces are being sewn to. I think I should prewash everything. What do all you experience sewers do? If I prewash, is there anything in particular I should do? Thanks for your help. |
User: Bobby's Girl
Member since: 03-19-2007 Total posts: 2 |
From: lendube
Date: 04-06-2007, 08:44 PM (2 of 14)
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I would preshrink it all or you're going to get irregular shrinking the first time you wash your jacket. I find it strange that the instructor would advise you that way. Can't think of anything to do other than just running it through a quick warm wash and medium dry. Lennie 
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User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: pinecone
Date: 04-06-2007, 09:57 PM (3 of 14)
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I vote also for prewashing all the fabric. If you have small cuts or Fat Quarters, fill the sink and just hand swish/wash and rinse there ~ less ravelling. Toss in the washing machine for a spin to get most of the water out and then toss in the dryer. Press before cutting and sewing. piney |
User: pinecone
Member since: 03-10-2007 Total posts: 59 |
From: PaulineG
Date: 04-07-2007, 01:29 AM (4 of 14)
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Love the idea of not prewashing but not the result. With cotton it's not just shrinkage but also some of the dyes might run. Find out before you do all the work.
Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: Anza54
Date: 04-07-2007, 10:22 AM (5 of 14)
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I agree with all comments made about prewashing. I always prewash my fabric just for that reason. Nothing worse than getting your project done and then have it shrink on you the first time you wash it. Bummer. I do hate all the unraveling of the material though. Wish there was a way to avoid that with yards of material after washing. Happy sewing
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User: Anza54
Member since: 03-13-2007 Total posts: 63 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-07-2007, 01:16 PM (6 of 14)
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I serge the ends before I prewash and they don't ravel. And, yeah, I'd prewash. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: paroper
Date: 04-07-2007, 02:21 PM (7 of 14)
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The quilting instructor (retired shop owner), retired home ec teacher at our bernina/quilt shop recommends that if you buy good quality quilt fabrics it not be prewashed. Her reasoning is that the 100 percent cotton fabric will shrink minimally but it will give a more aged look to the quilted product. Now, if the fabric is not a good grade cotton she does recommend prewashing.
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: HeyJudee
Date: 04-08-2007, 10:54 AM (8 of 14)
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I don't have a serger but my machine does an overcast stitch. I do that with a very long stitch length around all cut edges of my fabric pieces including FQs before I wash. If you don't have an overcast stitch, you could do a zig zag with a long stitch lenght along the edges. It saves the ravelling!
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: Kaitlinnegan
Date: 04-09-2007, 08:03 AM (9 of 14)
Well, I think I've finally decided this debate for myself. The other day I sat down to get started stitching my dress when I saw that there was a small splotch of dye on the back of one of the sash pieces. It didn't really show through to the front, but I figured I should wash the piece just to be sure it wouldn't bleed all over everything. I hadn't washed any of it yet -- it was rayon challis and I've never known rayon to shrink. Well, my sash, which was about 5" wide, shrunk a good 1/2" in width.  I'm glad I tried that before I stitched up the dress! I'll probably still make the one I just cut out..but for one of my skinny friends.  Off to Hancock today -- crossing my fingers that they have more of my pretty green fabric! I guess I just don't use high enough quality fabric to count on minimal shrinkage. So, from now on, unless it's polyester, it's going in the wash before I cut.
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User: Kaitlinnegan
Member since: 03-20-2006 Total posts: 222 
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From: MaryW
Date: 04-09-2007, 09:05 AM (10 of 14)
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I would prewash. You don't want shrinkage or colours running after you've done all that hard work.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Reta J
Date: 04-09-2007, 09:37 AM (11 of 14)
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Prewash! lol Learn from someone, who in the past thought it was silly, and ended up with a couple of items that I couldn't recognize when they came out of dryer. If you don't want to serge or zigzag cut edges, then put them in a pillowcase and pin the top with a couple of large safty pins. I also used the pillowcase for my kids washable dolls and stuffed animals, it keeps them from getting to roughed up in the dryer.
Sewing Forever
Housework Whenever Reta J |
User: Reta J
Member since: 01-30-2002 Total posts: 136 
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From: Pudge99
Date: 04-09-2007, 09:55 AM (12 of 14)
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I have done some patchwork vests that said not to prewash the foundation fabric. It gives a very nice old scrunchy quilt look when finished.
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: pinecone
Date: 04-09-2007, 11:00 AM (13 of 14)
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I have done some patchwork vests that said not to prewash the foundation fabric. It gives a very nice old scrunchy quilt look when finished. When fabrics come into my house they get tossed in the washer first thing. Muslin usually shrinks about 3% or about 1"/yard ~ now it take more than a yard to go around my dimensions ~ if you know what I mean ~ and I don't really need the attraction a figure hugging dress/shirt/vest might give.  Now quilts is another story, those will still fit.  piney |
User: pinecone
Member since: 03-10-2007 Total posts: 59 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 04-09-2007, 11:07 AM (14 of 14)
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I have to add that those instructions also stated to use a loose fitting vest pattern. I had a pattern from the MC Hammer days when the vests were veeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry loose fitting.
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
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