To pre-shrink or not to pre-shrink.

[grntuscarora]

That is the question.

I'm making a quilt for my daughter, and for the first time am using a needle punched cotton batting (Warm & Natural Needled Cotton). I've only used polyester battings on previous projects, so am in uncharted territory.

The maker says to expect a 3% shrinkage, but also says "Many quilters prefer not to pre-wash to achieve the unique effect created by the slight shrinkage of the batting when the completed quilt is washed." Instructions are given to preshrink if I choose to.

My question is-- What is the "unique effect created by slight shrinkage" that they're talking about? Shrinkage of any kind seems to me like it would create a wrinkly mess.

Quilters, your advice is requested. Should I take the trouble to preshrink or not. What will I wind up with if I don't.

PS Never posted in this particular forum before. Thanks for letting me post here!

[SheilaT]

1. If no one here answers your question,

you should contact your local quilters guild to talk directly to real quilters. Of course, the odds are pretty good that someone here will be helpful.

[kcass1954]

2. I don't pre-shrink my batting any more.

When I take it out of the package, I toss it in a hot dryer for 15 or 20 minutes to help get the wrinkles out. Warm & Natural is ny favorite batting. It ma shrink a bit, but I've never noticed any excessive shrinkage.

[grntuscarora]

3. Great!

I feel better about skipping that step now! Thanks for the input

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Here's a picture of a quilt with batting not pre-shrunk.....

http://piecedgoods.com/2011/03/11/shrink-test-for-quilting-nerds/

[grntuscarora]

5. Interesting!

The photos and analysis at that link really give me an idea of what to expect from not pre-shrinking. And I actually like the little bit of puckering that results--it gives the quilt a bit of an antique look, imo.
Many thanks!

[PennyK]

6. I like the crinkly look

Last edited Sun Jul 5, 2015, 07:57 PM - Edit history (1)

But if you're going for a more modern look it might not be what you want. I'm about to start my first quilt in quite a while and I think I'll just do the dryer suggestion here. I do love cotton batting best; polyester can be stiff, you can get that horrible bearding effect, and it can be too hot.

[Warpy]

7. 3% shrinkage across the entire width of the quilt will add up to quite a bit

but 3% shrinkage between the lines of stitching will be unnoticeable or minimal, just causing the areas between the stitched lines to puff up very, very slightly.

I honestly don't think I'd preshrink it. Some commercially made quilts with cotton batting do shrink after the first wash but the effect makes them look less commercial and more handmade, so it's all good. The stitched lines, instead of sitting on the surface, are below the surface.

I think the only time I'd prewash is in an appliquéed quilt where you don't have the patterns of stitching and don't want what you do have to appear more pronounced.

[dem in texas]

9. The Pucker is what you are looking for.

Never wash the batting before your quilt. The shrinkage in the batting is what makes the pucker. When you are done with the quilt, wash it and air dry. You will get the pucker along the quilting seams, it gives the quilt the old fashioned homemade look.

I always use a thin needled cotton batting with no scrim. Now, I am getting my quilts machine quilted, but I still don't wash until finished because I want that puckered look. You can't get the same look with the poly batting.