After Washing

Most of the time there is sizing not starch added to fabrics by manufacturers. Sizing is different, not made from corn (which starch is) and actually has a mild "anti-bug" component. Manufacturers do not want to attract bugs to fabric in stock,in transit or while on the racks. Which is one reason I tend not to prewash fabrics, until I need them. And often make quilts with non-prewashed fabrics. Around here we usually add a bit of fabric softener to the wash because if we don't there can be serious problems with static cling. sigh. When I am preparing fabric for freezer paper work I usually do wash without softener because the freezer paper sticks a lot better.

Pati, > Ohmygoodness!!! Jeanne I never even gave any thought to the starch that i= s

Want to know how BAD the 'chemicals' are on the new fabric. Put it in a NONODOR plastic container and leave it there for 6 months. When you open the container the smell might set you aback a bit. This was LQS fabric right after she opened it (I was in the store) and bought it right from the bolt. Didn't have time to 'be aired' in her shop.

There's nasty stuff on that fabric. if it kills bugs. what's it doing to YOUR lungs? Especially if you have a stash and work quite often, for any length of time, in that particular room.

Butterfly (Just something else to think about. I wash all mine. Yuppers, even the bit of $30.00 yd piece which I still haven't 'used' but just enjoy)

Pati, > Ohmygoodness!!! Jeanne I never even gave any thought to the starch that is

I always wondered about the 'dirt' from the fabric being stored at the warehouse and the LQS. Would pressing unwashed fabric tend to set-in the dirt, etc.?

Leslie- washing every bit of fabric the moment it comes into my house & The Furbabies in MO.

Pati, > Ohmygoodness!!! Jeanne I never even gave any thought to the starch that is

If is a fabric that is destined for a project that will be bias cut or otherwise have the grains running other than true, I will probably not bother. Though more often than not I will wish I had! (G)

I do a lot of garment sewing though, and having the grains running right is a Very Good Thing. For particular weaves, linen, stripes, and plaids it is absolutely mandatory.

You can bet your featherweight that on those occassions when I find a woven directional pattern is wonky a yard in from the bolt's end that I shoot a letter of complaint off to the store, and then to the manufacturer. That sort of thing is too pricey to let such slide.

NightMist

Howdy!

No, the chemicals or effects don't disappear. I've quilted several not-new tops w/ fabric that had not been washed; my fingers can tell right away, itchy-burning skin, very uncomfortable. Washed fabric quilts better, in my experience. And who needs more formalin? Save it for the mortuary.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, it's a lovely day w/ the doors & windows open; pop a book into the cd player, set up the ironing board and fondle the new fabrics!

Cheers! R/Sandy

Howdy!

Wonky fabric: I stretch it, pulling on opposite corners; doesn't hurt it; the fabric usually irons out straight-of-grain, the way I intended. Esp. w/ fat quarters; I like the 100 fq for $100 from Keepsake Qltg, but they do love to twist in the machine, so I take them out of the dryer slightly damp, give a tug, iron 'em flat. So far no fq has protested or walked out of the house in a huff. YMMV

Cheers! R/Sandy

The pulling was the method Mrs. Flatten taught us in

4-H many years ago. As I look back she was a hero to me. Taria

Sandy Ellis> Howdy!

The reason I don't use fabric softener is that if I might want the fabric for applique, softener won't let the fusibles stick well enough. Gen

Hi Mika,

If the fabric is so wrinkled that it is impervious to folding, I iron it. However, if it can be flattened, I often go ahead and fold it, then put it in my stash as is. My stash is kept in Rubbermaid tubs where it gets wrinkled anyway, and often needs to be ironed before using.

So in your case, I guess it might depend on how wrinkle-free your stash storage is. :-)

Best regards, Michelle in NV

I knew they put chemicals in it but didn't realize formalin was one of them. Just a thought, but if the fabric is going into the stash and possibly sitting on the shelf for awhile, wouldn't it be better to leave it the way it is? By washing out the critter killer stuff, it seems like the fabric would be more susceptible to critters. Just curious.

Hugs, Mika

I've been wondering the same thing Leslie. I always wash my quilts when I've finished with them before they are delivered or used. But if it's possible that pressing unwashed fabric can set in the dirt, chemicals and stuff, what if any, effects could it have on the fabric or people using the quilt? If that makes any sense.

Hugs, Mika

Ok that makes sense.

Hugs, Mika

I really don't worry too much about how wrinkled it gets during storage because I always press it before I use it anyway. I try to fold it with as few folds as possible to reduce the number of wrinkles because the folds/wrinkles in the center are more difficult to iron out after awhile. I've accepted that my stash is going to have wrinkles no matter what I do to prevent it. LOL.

Hugs, Mika