To Wash or not to Wash

That is the question...........

Do you wash your quilt fabric before you use it?

I used to all the time.

But then some new unwashed fabric

sneaked into my stash.

And I started making sample quilts for a store

and they wanted the fabric unwashed.

I love how unwashed quilt tops slightly shrink up

after the completed quilt is washed.

It makes them look antique right away.

Now you may be wondering why I have posted a picture

of my laundry hanging out to dry.........

Well, you see that bright fushia dress?

I always separately hand wash these dresses because they all tend

to bleed dye every single time they are washed.

Last time I washed them I used a product called Retayne.

It is supposed to "set" the dye in fabrics.

I've used it before in my finished quilt tops,

but never on a purchased article of clothing.

Well.........It was the second washing and the Retayne

worked like a charm! I used a regular laundry product

on this dress today and the Retayne (from last time)

STILL WORKED!

So I would highly recommend using Retayne

if you are unsure of any of the unwashed fabrics

that you have used in your quilt tops!

I bought mine at a quilting store, but

I just checked online and it appears the

Joann fabric stores sell it as well.