I always use detergent, but not much - and warm water. I don't want any mishaps after I've slaved over a quilt.

I don't always prewash ... actually, hardly ever. I usually do with dark colors - and use soap and color catchers.

I prewash everything with a color catcher and a small amount of detergent. I've brought home plenty of fabric that had visible dirt on it; I always assume for every smudge I can see there are probably quite a few I can't! :)

Donna

I, too, use a small amount of detergent and a color catcher. I wash mostly to remove the chemicals from the fabric because they give me a headache and irritate my hands.

Do you have to use the color catcher each time you launder or just with initial wash? Who sells it

The only time I use color catcher is if I'm using red or if the fabric just looks iffy. And if I'm in doubt I only wash it separately. I've never used the color catcher more than once.

I don't always wash. But, if a dark color, or a red, I use soap and a color catcher. You can see from the color catcher when it's done if any dye molecules came out of it. You buy them on the shelf by the fabric softener sheets. The box looks the same so you have to read the label. I think it's orange. When I was dying my own fabric, I went through boxes of them and have piles of brightly colored color catchers I may use in a craft project some day. You can use them over and over multiple times by the way. They still grab that loose dye.

I pre-wash all fabrics in warm water and a little mild detergent before I store them or use them in sewing table linens, clothing or quilts.

It seems so random as to the fabrics that will run color! Lately I've been washing everything, and I try to remember to give at least a few color catchers along with and quilts/chair blankies that I give away. It's like a small insurance policy to me.

I don't prewash anything with or without detergent. After a quilt is finished I do wash and dry it with a little detergent and a color catcher. I've never had a problem.

I was doing a block using a dark batik. When I pressed the block, using steam, the colour ran. Out goes that block. So now, all dark batiks get soaked over and over again until the rinse water runs clear. I could probably use a colour catcher to get the same result.

Theresa

This is this is what I got

I used two sheets to wash 5 yds of RED fabric and this is how they came out:

Will i have to use sheets again next time i wash? Same question with new jeans, do I need to use sheets every time I wash then?

Personally I wash until they come out almost white.

As for jeans, I wash the new ones with the old ones to hopefully brighten up the colors.

I washed my materials with cold water and no soap and air dried. Will they still shrink?

Yes, I believe they will shrink when anyone washes them or the finished quilt in HOT water &/or puts them in a DRYER.

I believe it's the HEAT that causes the shrinkage, not the presence or absence of soap or detergent.

So I always wash yardage, w/ detergent in hot water & then use a commercial dryer to dry them. I do it to preshrink the fabric, not for reasons of color fastness.

I went to Textile School for College & have a BS in Textile Design & Manufacturing.

I wash my clothes in warm water and hang them to dry so they won't shrink. I wash all my fabric in warm soapy water and put them into the dryer so they will shrink.

Smartly done Lois ;>)

Karen I concur the hot water and dryer heat are what shrink the cotton fabric so it is best washed before cutting although I do hate that the cotton doesn't have that slight brand new sheen. I to have a BS in Clothing & Textiles