Prewash Fabric Before Sewing? When You SHOULD and SHOULDN'T | Before and After Videos 

Great instructions! I worked for two different fabric manufacturers and I will always pre-wash new fabric to get rid of the chemicals they have to put on it to manufacture, finish and transport the fabric thousands of miles in shipping containers. Think lots of pesticides!

This is an excellent, comprehensive tutorial on prewashing fabric for beginning to expert sewists. When excitedly starting a new project, we sometimes take shortcuts to get to the steps we enjoy the most. Caring for our fabric the way the final project will require saves us from the disappointment of massive shrinkage, puckering seams and color bleeds. Thank you from a new subscriber!

I always preshrink/prewash my yardage. I learned this lesson when a red and white quilt was pink after the wash. I use a teaspoon of Dawn dishwashing soap and Color Grabbers. Dawn removes the oils the fabric dyes when being made, just like on the ducks in the commercial. If making a Quilt of Valor the rules clearly state to prewash the quilt. Since I prewash before making the QOV quilt, this step is not needed. As for edges fraying, this can be the result of the fabric being cut instead of torn when purchased. The majority of the time fabric is not on grain when rolled onto the bolt resulting in a larger amount of fraying when I buy fabric from a store that cuts, I buy extra so I can tear when I get home. I have experienced up to six inches off grain.

I never skip prewashing. Never.

I’m about to begin making memory quilts from a late friend’s shirts. Some of the shirts were cleaned professionally. Because of possible sizing or such, all of the shirts were washed with warm water and white vinegar. Therefore all new fabrics are washed to preshrink and remove excess dyes. It’s work, but it’s better than risk problems.

Always pre wash anything from a thrift store! I always zigzag the raw edges before washing to prevent thread nests.

In general I only pre-wash garment fabrics as they are frequently washed and dried.

I am one who almost always pre-washes my fabric. I usually use a reduced amount of detergent.

Awesome thorough explanation. TFS

I pre-wash and tumble dry if I’m making clothing however, I have found Pre-washing cotton and then using cotton thread can lead to crinkly seams. It’s as if the thread shrunk in the wash while the fabric was pre-shrunk. Now I use polyester thread for cotton clothing. I don’t pre-wash quilt fabrics if I’m using pre-cuts, but I do if I’m using yardage and any of the colors are dark. Then again I post-wash my quilts with a ton of color catchers before gifting them.

Love the red flannel!

Thanks for this informative video! ❤

This was an informative video. Thanks for sharing. Hi from Kingston, Jamaica. 🙂

As much as I hate to do it, if necessary I do prewash. I usually surge or zig-zag the edges and then iron. Not fun.

I bought a beautiful piece of purple cotton for a quilt. At the last minute I decided to wash it separately and am so glad I did. That fabric never stopped bleeding dye. I ended up tossing it out. Buyer beware.

I live in an apartment. No washer dryers . I can wash by hand. I only use 100% cotton. I only quilt. Wall hangings mostly. Once in a while a quilt for keeping warm for my adult daughter. I dont know if washing by hand will be considered preshrinking

I ALWAYS SURGE raw (cut) edges to avoid all the fraying. It’s so important. If no surger , do a zig zag.

I surge the edges & rewash

I've sewn for 50 years. I prewash anything that will be water laundered. I never wash rayon, silk or wool. They go to the dry cleaners to extend their life and to maintain the hand of the fabric. I've never met a person that takes off the rack "dry clean only" clothing to the cleaners before wearing. The exception to this is if I have thrifted the goods. My cleaners will clean and not press, so I can press myself and save a few dollars.

Does anyone have advice on pre-washing sweater knits? Or whether to pre-wash them at all? I am hesitant to wash the fabric because I don't have enough space to lay flat 3 yards of fabric to dry.

I would serge raw edges for sure. It only takes a minute.

Never skip prewash on new fabric!! (Apart from wools, unless for a garment you plan to wash & dry at home, and the change in the wool from washing can be fun & changes the hand & density completely--a good thing if planned, a disaster if not expected/finished garment).😮 Same with silks!

Even with wool, I'll sponge and steam it. I had a silk blend fabric turn into Fortuny pleats after washing ... I don't know why, it became tightly micropleated. I'm still figuring out what to do with it.

I never use the tumble dryer as it ruins the clothes. Hang your fabric outside in the sun shine . Better for the environment

I always prewash any fabric the way it will be washed once it is made into something.That includes tumble drying. Fabric can shrink and dyes can run. Plus, there are chemicals and sizing to remove.

I wouldn't want to give a loved one a chemically infused item like clothing, or a quilt which they might cuddle with.