If you’ve ever Googled “Should I prewash quilting fabric?” you already know that the advice varies wildly. Some quilters insist on it. Others skip it completely. And plenty of us fall somewhere in between.
In my newest video, I break down the most common myths and misconceptions around prewashing, including tips for dealing with fabric bleed, when it may be safe to skip prewashing, and how to prep fabric for prewashing without ending up with a frayed mess.
Whether you’re working with yardage, fat quarters, or precuts, this video gives you the facts so you can make an informed choice that fits your project and your process.
Here are timestamps if you would like to fast-forward to watch (or rewatch) a specific section:
00:00 Dealing with Fear or Confusion?
00:46 Meet Beth Ann
01:08 Myth 1 – A Universal Rule?
03:03 Myth 2 – Avoiding Stringy Messes and Lots of Ironing
05:55 Myth 3 – Sizing, Starch, and Starch Alternatives
10:05 Myth 4 – Bleeding vs. Excess Dye
14:06 Myth 5 – Rescuing a Ruined Quilt, Synthrapol and Retayne
16:19 Myth 5 – Part 2 – Getting That Lovely Crinkly Texture
18:15 Myth 6 – Precuts – Layer Cakes, Charm Squares, and Jelly Rolls
20:50 Myth 7 – That [insert famous quilter] Doesn’t Prewash
22:36 Recommendations (Not Rules)
25:01 Share Your Experiences!
And if you can’t find the products I mentioned locally, here are some affiliate links:
Mary Ellen’s Best Press – https://amzn.to/44Fr67H (also available in different scents)
Shout Color Catchers – https://amzn.to/4koZVm8
Synthrapol – https://amzn.to/3YOZJEo
Retayne – https://amzn.to/4k74pOG
I hope you find the info helpful.
Happy Quilting!
