Bonnie H Posted February 14, 2014 Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 Has anyone washed a quilt before putting on the binding? I made my quilt a little bit large, knowing I could chop off some of the borders if I needed to after quilting. And then I got to thinking, I wonder if I could wash it before binding it? The quilt will be quilted with an edge-to-edge panto so my biggest worry is whether the quilting will come undone. If I were to "stay stitch" the outside edge with a small stitch to hold the off-the edge stitching of the panto in place would that be enough or am I asking for trouble? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nanbrug Posted February 14, 2014 Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 I can't say I have ever washed it before binding. I like it a little stiff it seems to be easier to get the binding to lay flat. I'm curious to see if anyone does wash it first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s.waits Posted February 14, 2014 Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 I can't say I've ever done it, but there's always a first time. I think I would be more concerned about the fabric edges raveling (is that spelled right?) than about the stitching coming loose. Don't know if you have a serger, but serging the edge would hold everything together, and prevent raveling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delld Posted February 14, 2014 Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 Some will block the quilt. That is, the quilt is moistened and shaped to be square. Sort of like you do when you block a sweater. Then add the binding. Another option is to added twill tape in the binding to give it structure. Be sure to pre-wash the twill tape!!!!! Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K. Szymaszek Posted February 14, 2014 Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 I recently washed a quilt, blocked it , then bound it. It turned out fine. I have to admit, I was a little nervous but all worked out ok. Just make sure you lock down all sides. K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdilday Posted February 14, 2014 Report Share Posted February 14, 2014 Yes, I launder unbound quilts whenever there is a specific measurement that is needed (like an edge-to-edge table topper). I make the quilt oversized, then "finish" the outer raw edges with a fairly long zig zag stitch. I trim off the excess batting and backing, then launder the unbound quilt on whatever the maximum water temperature and the maximum dryer temp a customer might use (usually "warm"). The idea is to get all the shrinkage over with. If the binding yardage has not been laundered, it should also accompany the quilt (you don't want unlaundered binding to shrink after applying to a previously washed quilt). After laundering, I do any blocking, and trim the quilt to the final finished dimensions. I use spray starch when ironing the laundered binding fabric to put back some crispness before I begin cutting it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie H Posted February 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 I'm excited to hear a few of you have done this and it went well. I have a serger but no intention of learning to use it, LOL, so I'll take the zigzag recommendation and run with it! My big quilt goes on the frame tomorrow. Maybe the quilting will eat up more inches than expected, but if not, I will try the suggestions here. Thank you ladies! And Carolyn I appreciate the tip to wash the binding! I could see myself forgetting to!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirleyl Posted February 15, 2014 Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 I have washed, the block a whole cloth, trimmed then bound it with no problem. Washed mInly to remove blue marks, but same effect. Washed binding with it. All I did was stitch around the edge after quilting without unloading it. Shirley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaSteller Posted February 15, 2014 Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 It depends. You need to find a way to stabilize the edge, especially if you have a machine with an agitator. I've seen some really nice quilts ruined by washing before binding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniferBernard Posted February 15, 2014 Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 You might want to throw some color catcher sheets in with the quilt just as insurance that nothing bleeds. I washed a show quilt made from a kit of pre cut strips, very scrappy looking 9 patches. I did not put in any color catchers. The wet quilt looked fine as I pinned it to my carpet to block it. I put fans on it and left to overnight. I cried when I saw it the next morning and the color had bled n to the light yellow background. It was ruined anyway so I used bleach on q tips to take the bleeding out. Then the spots were too light so I colored them in with colored pencils. Luckily the yellow background was splotchy. The quilt went on to win a 1st place at Machine Quilters Showcase and a Best Machine Quilting at Des Moines and the judges never spotted the bleeding. Yes, invest n some color catchers. It can only help not hurt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted February 15, 2014 Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 I wash a lot of my quilts before binding. I sew around the edge to ensure nothing "pop"s during washing. In addition, this keeps the fabric from fraying too (I think someone else mentioned this). I use the dye catchers on every quilt's first washing. I have a front loading washer and dryer. I'm not sure about a top loader with an agitatior? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.