Quilting fabric - to pre wash or not?

[NannyR]

I've treated myself to a Moda fabric layer cake and some Moda cream coloured cotton fabric with the intention of making a quilt with half square triangles.
I'm just umming and aahing about whether or not to pre wash it. The layer cake includes some reds and navy blues. I'm thinking that, if I decide not to pre wash it, because the fabric is all the same brand, it should shrink at the same rate in the finished quilt (and in any case, I don't mind the slightly wrinkled, vintage look) and because it's not cheap fabric it should be pretty colourfast.

The reasons I'm thinking not to pre wash is that the 10 inch squares may shrink slightly if I did and that would put the measurements of the blocks out slightly, also the fabric is nice and smooth and stiff, so will be easier to work with.

But, the finished quilt is going to be well used (hopefully!) as bedding so will need to be washed. Having red and cream together that hasn't been pre washed is scaring me slightly!!

I've always pre washed before because I've bought cheaper fabrics by the metre and cut my own squares, but I'm not a very experienced quilter and not sure what to do with this new fabric.

Any advice from more experienced quiltera would be most welcome, thank you

[NannyR]

Hopeful bump

[TheCountessofFitzdotterel]

The one time I prewashed precut pieces they frayed quite badly so the normal seam allowance wasn't enough. I don't think it is a good idea.

[NannyR]

Thanks, that's what I thought. When I've pre washed larger pieces of fabric in the past there has been a lot of loose threads and fraying, but I can trim that off if I'm cutting my own squares.
I could end up losing a fair bit of fabric if I have to trim frayed edges on the squares and try and get them all the same size.

[ChippyMinton]

No need to pre-wash.

First time you wash the finished quilt add a handful of colour catcher sheets.

[Dilbertian]

What ChippyMinton said, and don't let the quilt sit wet in the machine. Peg it out as soon as the cycle has finished.

[FridgeOffal]

Would pinking shearing the edges not stop the fraying? I know you said uppit wouldn't mind the slightly rumpled look but it would be a massive shame if it did that or bled on the first wash.

I would handwash the squares (fat quarters? Or have you cut it?) by colour. Won't take long. or wash one of each to see if it will bleed or shrink.

[NannyR]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

[Deux]

I generally don’t for all the reasons outlined above. I certainly wouldn’t with precuts as as well as fraying they may go a bit off-square on the bias making your cutting more troublesome especially if you’re cutting in a stack.

I’ve not experienced any colour run with reputable brands like Moda, nor any shrinkage though obviously the batting shrinks once the quilt is finished depending on wash temp.

How exciting to start a new quilt. I like the fabrics.

[Mum4MrA]

I don't wash fabrics from a reputable brand like moda. Wash on cool with several colour catchers. Only had red run in the past.

[PineappleDanish]

I wouldn't for all the reasons listed above. Also then you'd have to iron it all - 100% cotton is a bugger to iron!!