To prewash or not to prewash? That is one of quilting’s great debates!
Some quilters wouldn’t dream of cutting into fabric without washing it first. Others take it straight from the shopping bag to the cutting table.
Me? I decided to do a little experiment and see what actually happens when quilting fabric goes through the wash.
I picked up some adorable animal-print fabric at Michaels for just $3 a yard. Did I have a project in mind? Absolutely not. Did I buy it anyway? Of course! Isn’t that how every great fabric stash begins? 😂
Before washing, I carefully measured the fabric and took pictures. I wanted to see whether it would shrink, fade, or change texture.
And guess what? It shrank!
The Results Are In: My Quilting Fabric Shrunk Half an Inch!
Here’s exactly what I did:
- Fabric: Animal-print fabric purchased at Michaels for $3 a yard
- Before washing: 45 inches wide
- Water temperature: Cold
- Wash cycle: Short
- Dryer setting: Low heat
- Drying time: Less than 10 minutes
- After washing: 44½ inches wide
That’s half an inch of shrinkage after one gentle wash!
Not exactly an earth-shattering discovery, but when you’re working with fabric and precise measurements, half an inch can matter.
And here’s the interesting part: I didn’t even use hot water or a long dryer cycle!
That’s approximately 1.1% shrinkage across the width of the fabric.
Before and after prewashing: My fabric went from 45 inches wide to 44½ inches. Same fabric, same measuring tape, half an inch smaller!
Why Does Fabric Shrinkage Matter When Quilting?
Half an inch might not seem like a big deal. After all, what’s half an inch between friends?
But quilting is all about measurements, and those little measurements add up!
Imagine spending hours cutting fabric, carefully matching seams, and piecing together a beautiful quilt top. You’ve measured twice, cut once (hopefully!), and finally finished your masterpiece.
Then you wash it.
If different fabrics shrink at different rates, you could end up with puckering, distortion, or a quilt that doesn’t look quite the way you imagined.
And here’s something else to consider: My fabric shrank half an inch across its width after just one gentle wash. I didn’t even measure the length, so I don’t know how much shrinkage occurred in that direction!
That’s why understanding how your fabric behaves before you begin cutting and sewing is so important.
What About Fading and Color Bleeding?
Shrinkage wasn’t the only thing I was curious about.
I also wanted to see whether my bargain fabric would fade or bleed during washing.
The good news? I didn’t notice any obvious fading. Those cute little animals still looked bright and colorful!
Not bad for $3 a yard!
But remember, not all fabrics behave the same way. Some colors, especially reds and dark blues, can release excess dye during washing.
Beginner quilting tip: If you’re concerned about color bleeding, test a small piece of fabric before combining it with other fabrics in your quilt. A color catcher may help collect loose dye, but it doesn’t guarantee that colors won’t bleed.
Discovering a color problem before you spend hours piecing a quilt is much better than discovering it afterward!
What Does Fabric Shrinkage Mean for Longarm Quilting?
At Online Quilting Studio, we specialize in edge-to-edge longarm quilting, helping quilters turn their beautiful quilt tops into finished quilts.
When a quilt is loaded onto a longarm quilting machine, three layers are stitched together:
- The quilt top
- The batting
- The backing fabric
But what happens when the finished quilt is washed?
Different fabrics and batting materials can shrink at different rates.
Sometimes this creates that wonderful soft, crinkled texture many quilters love. Other times, uneven shrinkage can affect the appearance and dimensions of the finished quilt.
Prewashing your quilting fabric gives you an opportunity to identify shrinkage and potential color bleeding before you’ve invested hours creating your quilt top.
My little experiment is a reminder that fabric preparation can make a difference in your finished project.
And remember, prewashing doesn’t guarantee that fabric won’t shrink again. It simply helps you better understand what you’re working with.
What Did I Learn From My Fabric Shrinkage Experiment?
Three things:
- Yes, quilting fabric really can shrink! Mine went from 45 inches to 44½ inches after one wash.
- You don’t need hot water to see shrinkage. I used cold water, a short wash cycle, and less than 10 minutes in the dryer on low heat.
- A little preparation can help prevent surprises. Understanding how fabric behaves before cutting and sewing can make a difference in your finished quilt.
And one bonus lesson?
Apparently, I can turn a $3 fabric purchase into an entire quilting science experiment! 😂
What’s Next? From the Washing Machine to the Longarm!
Now that we’ve measured the shrinkage, it’s time for the fun part!
Next stop: the APQS longarm quilting machine! 🧵
I’m going to load this fabric onto our longarm machine at Online Quilting Studio and give it some beautiful edge-to-edge quilting.
I’ll share photos of the process, the quilting pattern I choose, and how the fabric looks once it’s quilted.
Then comes the really challenging part…
Figuring out what I’m going to make with it! 😂
Remember, I bought this adorable animal-print fabric without having the slightest idea what I was going to do with it.
Maybe a baby play mat? A quilted tote bag? A nursery accessory?
Or maybe one of you has a better idea!
Help Me Decide! What Would YOU Make?
I’d love to hear your creative ideas!
What would you make with this fabric? Leave your suggestions in the comments. Your idea might just become our next project!
And while you’re here, tell me: Have you ever been surprised by how much fabric shrank after washing?
Follow Online Quilting Studio on Facebook and check back for Part 3: From the Washing Machine to the Longarm!
We’ll share the quilting process, beginner-friendly tips, and eventually reveal what this mystery fabric becomes.
Because quilting is about learning, creating, and sometimes buying fabric just because it’s cute!
Happy quilting!
Patty
Online Quilting Studio | Ocala, Florida