Before cutting most fabrics, it's important to consider shrinkage. After splurging on a designer cotton print, I once made a tablecloth without preshrinking the fabric. After washing, my tablecloth was too small for my table. That tablecloth eventually became two throw pillows and a pile of expensive scraps.

Always know the type of fabric you are buying. Find the care information on the end of the fabric bolt, or on a hang tag if the fabric is on a dowel. Make note of it. As a beginner, it's easy to be unsure of your fabric. Rayon and cotton, for example, can look similar but require totally different laundering methods and iron temperatures.

Launder or clean your fabric as you would the finished product. If you plan to wash the finished item in the washing machine and dry in the dryer, preshrink it in the same way. Take care with dark fabrics where colors can run or bleed; don't mix them with lighter fabrics until you know for sure. If your fabric is 100% cotton, you may need to wash it twice. Cotton does not always shrink completely in one wash/dry cycle.

Even dry-clean-only fabric may need to be preshrunk.

Don't Forget to Preshrink Linings

If your project requires a lining or backing fabric, don't forget to preshrink it too. Otherwise, you end up with a project that won't hang or lay properly after laundering.

Interfacing & Notions

It's necessary to preshrink interfacing to avoid the distortion and puckering that can occur when the finished project is laundered. Preshrinking fusible interfacing will eliminate the ripples that can show up during the fusing process. Non-fusible interfacing can be laundered as your fabric and lining. Preshrink fusible interfacing by submerging it in warm to hot water until totally saturated. Blot between towels (never wring) to get out some of the water. Lay flat to air dry (hanging can cause distortion).

Notions like zippers, trims and elastic should be preshrunk following the manufacturer's instructions. If they are washable, wash as you did your fabric. A lingerie bag helps contain small pieces.

Press Your Fabric

Before you cut, remove fabric wrinkles by pressing with your steam iron. Cutting wrinkled fabric can cause distorted pieces that don't match up properly, making your finished project less professional looking.

Comments (8)

alicia.thommas said:

... If Pellon says it's preshrunk, it probably is... That said, I would still do a test on some scraps. Fuse a piece of interfacing to your PREWASHED fabric. Then wash and dry. Did it pucker or warp? If so, then you'll need to preshrink it as described above. Bias tape is stretchy because of the bias cut, so is more forgiving. You do want to be sure it's colorfast. Red can be a problem. Try putting about 4" in a bowl of hot water. If the water turns color -- you'll want to prewash in a lingerie bag. If it's less than 4" once dry, you'll also need to preshrink it. To be safe, I would prewash the piping cord -- cotton is more likely to shrink, but 50/50 poly could also shrink a bit. Again, put it in a lingerie bag. This is the "better safe than sorry" method, but I really dislike the look puckered bias tape and piping.

September 04, 2011

Beth Thompson said:

... Sandra Betzina's book says to pre-shrink interfacing and so does your advice above. Today I just bought pellon 911FF fusible Featherweight. It says on the label it does not have to be preshrunk. Should I do it anyway? I'm making aprons that will be washed. Do I also pre-shrink the bias tape and piping, even if it is 55% polyester?

September 04, 2011

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... @ linda rollins -- it is a good idea to pre-shrink cording if you are 1) using a cotton cording, and/or 2) plan on machine washing whatever it is you are making.

August 20, 2011

linda Rollins said:

... Do I need to pre-shrink piping or cord-to-be-covered for slipcover? Please.

August 18, 2011

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... @ Linda T -- check the packaging to make sure you choose a batting that is washable. Most of these are washable AFTER quilting. So - don't pre-wash the batting but do pre-wash all the other elements (fabric and binding). Fairfield makes a good option: Polyfil's Hi-Loft Batting: http://www.fairfieldworld.com/...ft-batting

June 06, 2011

Linda T said:

... What about quilt batting? Does it need to be pre-washed? **thinking about a baby quilt that will be used (not just displayed). thanks

June 06, 2011

alicia.thommas said:

... Good question, JaLynne! I don't recommend pre-washing pre-cuts. I can't imagine what a tangled mess you'd have with a jelly roll. Pre-cuts are cut to specific sizes and designed to use before washing. Most pre-cuts are made from high-quality fabric and actually shrink very little and colors rarely bleed. That said, if you are mixing pre-cuts with yardage, I would not wash the yardage either. Stick with quality tightly woven quilting fabric and you should be fine. If you are worried about dark colors bleeding, especially reds, you can test a piece to see if it bleeds. Most quality quilting fabric does not. Wash finished pieces in cool water and dry on low.

March 23, 2011

JaLynne Ellington said:

... What if you buy pre-cut fabric such as fat quarters, jelly rolls, etc?

March 23, 2011

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