The Secret to Perfect Knit Projects: Prewashing!
Hold up! Before you dive into creating that fabulous knit garment, let’s chat about the significance of prewashing your knit fabric. I know, I know – it’s tempting to cut into that beautiful stretch fabric the moment it arrives. But trust me, prewashing is a step you don’t want to skip. Why, you ask? Let’s dive in!
1. Say Goodbye to Shrink Surprises ♀️
Natural fiber knits, like those made from cotton, are notorious for shrinking quite a bit during their inaugural wash, particularly in length. Since the fibers in knits aren’t as tightly packed as in woven fabrics, some knits can shrink even more than your usual quilting cottons. To avoid the heartbreak of a shrunken masterpiece, prewash and avoid that dreaded “Oh no, it shrunk!” moment post-sewing. Fun fact: I once crafted a dreamy cotton double knit ensemble, only to discover it had shrunk to 90% of its original size after a single wash!
2. Cleanse Those Chemicals
Many fabrics come with manufacturing chemicals, which can be a real bother for sensitive skins like my family’s. Prewashing helps in ensuring these chemicals are washed away, making it safer and more comfortable for wear, especially if you’re sewing for little ones like I often do for my daughters.
3. Prevent Color Calamities
Ever had dyes from fabrics bleeding onto other items? Prewashing can save the day! It ensures any excess dye is washed out before you combine fabrics in your sewing projects. A personal mishap: I once made Santa pajamas for my daughters with a red fabric, and it took nearly ten washes to stop the red from turning everything pink. A lesson learned the hard way!
Prepping Your Knit for the Wash
Before tossing your fabric into the machine, keep a few things in mind:
- Color Sorting: Just as with regular laundry, sort fabrics by color to prevent any dye transfer. And if you’re dubious about a fabric’s colorfastness, try a quick test by soaking a small fabric piece in clear water.
- Avoiding Edges from Curling: A pesky trait of knits is that they tend to curl at the edges after washing. A quick fix? Serge or baste the fabric edges before giving them a wash.
- Checking for Shrinkage: If you’re curious about how much a fabric will shrink, try washing a small square (say, 6″x6″). Compare its dimensions after the wash to gauge the shrinkage rate.
Caring for Your Knit During Washing
Always check the fabric’s label for washing instructions. However, if you have a specific way you plan to wash your completed garment, follow those settings while prewashing.
- Choosing a Wash Method: I’m team machine wash (busy mom alert )! But remember, delicate fabrics might need handwashing or dry cleaning.
- Selecting Water Temp & Cycles: I opt for cooler temperatures to minimize environmental impact. However, hotter water can sometimes give better shrink results. Choose the wash cycle that suits the fabric’s delicacy.
- Picking the Right Detergent: I’m all for mild, unscented detergents, especially for the kiddos. Also, remember, fabrics with elements like Lycra shouldn’t be exposed to bleach.
Drying Knits the Right Way
Drying can be tricky. Here are some nuggets of wisdom:
- Avoid leaving fabric in the machine for too long post-wash or dry. Take them out promptly to prevent wrinkles and distortion.
- Extra water can be wrung out to reduce drying time.
- Be cautious when hanging wet fabric to avoid unwanted stretching or hanger imprints.
Ironing Out the Details
Post-wash, some knits might need a touch of ironing to look their best. Always use an appropriate temperature setting and press, don’t drag, to avoid stretching.
Note to Remember
Prewashing knits not only minimizes surprises like shrinkage but also ensures a cleaner, more vibrant finished product. Just follow the steps above and get ready to work on your next knitting project!
| Important Steps | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Prewashing | Minimizes shrinkage, removes chemicals, and prevents color bleed. |
| Washing | Check fabric label, sort by color, avoid edge curling, and test for shrinkage. |
| Drying | Remove promptly, wring out excess water, and avoid long hang times. |
| Ironing | Press, don’t drag, and use the correct temperature. |