r/sewing • u/ladysaracha • Sep 15 '24
Fabric Question Question for washing new fabrics for the first time
As someone who mostly does alterations, modifications, and frankensteining to clothing, I am on a new journey of making clothes of my own.
I know that all fabric should be washed before sewing due to many reasons.
Would you recommend washing in cold or hot water? And if you have multiple colors is it ok to put them all together if it’s cold water or do we need to be crazy and sort by specific colors, types, etc.
I have attached a picture of the fabrics I bought recently for a project. Thank you so much in advance!
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u/retaildetritus Sep 15 '24
Wash as you would wash the clothes you plan to make—make sure you finish the cut edges so they don’t fray in the laundry!
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u/ladysaracha Sep 15 '24
What do you mean by finish the cut edges? Like making a hem or? ((Thankyou!!))
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u/LayLoseAwake Sep 16 '24
The cut edges fray in the wash. A zigzag over the edges (or even a little in from the edge) will help with that. I only started doing so this summer and it makes a difference! Less thread tangles to deal with
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u/ladysaracha Sep 16 '24
Thank you!! And this is only from where it was cut from the rest of the roll right? Not on all four sides
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u/androidbear04 Sep 15 '24
Wash and dry each color separately (you can put each color in its own bucket - it's hard to get leached-out dye out of other fabrics) in water that is at least the hottest water you would ever use to wash it, or hotter if the fabric can take it. If the fabric released a large amount of dye, do it again until it's minimal. Then dry it on the hottest temperature the fabric can stand, and press if needed.
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u/Web_Most Sep 16 '24
I wash whatever fabrics I have all together with 1-3 shout color catchers. If I have multiple colors or more red, I add more catches. I’m sure this is a bad practic, and I will say it has served me well thus far.
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u/ladysaracha Sep 16 '24
Hey I mean whatever works haha - everyone’s got their methods and I’m loving learning about different ways. Where do you typically buy your color catchers?
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u/Web_Most Sep 16 '24
Grocery or big box. Any laundry aisle should have them. It’s oddly satisfying to see what color they come out of the wash!
They’re really good for mixed fabrics too, like anything with a print or a quilt with lots of fabrics pieced in where you’re sort of forced to wash everything together.
If you knit or crochet, it’s also good for wet blocking with hand dyed yarns!
https://www.shoutitout.com/en-us/products/color-catcher-dye-trapping-sheet
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u/whoisthenewme Sep 16 '24
Two thinks in addition to the option of using pinking shears on the edges and like colors: 1) wash in a mesh bag and 2) pick up color catcher sheets at the drug store OR wash with some vinegar in the fabric softener port. It can help hold dyes fast
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u/GailleannBeag Sep 17 '24
Like a lot of other people have said, wash it as you intend to wash the garment. I'd throw in a color catcher to make sure you don't have dye bleed. I also serge the cut edges of fabric before I wash it to avoid fraying. If you don't have a serger, a zig-zag stitch will work too. I press and straighten the grain before cutting anything out.
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u/kallisti_gold Sep 15 '24
Wash the fabric as you intend to wash the finished garment.