Charm Pack Squares of quilting fabric.....do they shrink?
By coffeebreak
@coffeebreak (17797)
United States
January 14, 2012 1:14pm CST
And I love them! Just looking at those beautiful little squares of perfect color size and shape! I can't wait to start using them. However, I have 2 quilts in process and have ato get them finished. I always like to have more than one thing going at a time as I get bored with the same project, same color of fabric etc. But 2 is a good stopping point.
But my question is this...do I pre=shrink the charm squares? They are Kona brand...streamline quality 100%cotton...but it doesn't say if I pre-shrink.I always do no matter what fabric I buy...wash an then fold for use. But these...I have heard both ways, but I know that 100% cotton shrinks in clothes, so why wouldn't it shrink in small squares? I have heard some do and some don't, but for the price and for what I am doing with the fabric...I want to know for sure.
I can see that maybe if I don't, since they are small squares, and then with the quilting stitching going on top of the fabric in small intervales...it might not be able to shrink once finished. And I don't want to have to dry clean the finished quilt.
So does anyone know or have experience with this? I just love these and am going to order more, and have a couple ideas all ready for quilts with them.
Thanks for comments!
2 responses
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
21 Jan 12
I've been doing a little online research about Kona fabric. So far, I have found nothing that indicates it is pre-shrunk or that is isn't. I've found nothing either way. It has been my experience that any fabric, even the ones that say pre-shrunk, can shrink if not handled according to manufacturer's directions as to the proper way to care for the fabric. With today's fabrics, I still believe the least amount of heat to the water your wash fabric in, the longer the fabric will last. I have no idea why I believe it. Hancock sells fabrics all the time that are not high quality, so do many of the other chain fabric stores. Just because you bought fabric from some other place, doesn't make it quality. As I remember, you can ask for care information when buying any fabric and according to law, the seller must provide the info. I wash fabric as much to guarantee the color is color fast, as for shrinkage. I'm going to do some more research and see if I can find an answer.
1 person likes this
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
21 Jan 12
Kona is a type of broadcloth. And I did find this definition: it can be made from 100% cotton or wool, and even in poly/cotton blend also. I've gone to the source of Kona, Robert Kaufman, and it isn't on their site as to what the specified care is. lol....but knowing you and I, we would wash it anyway. I just don't buy dry clean only fabrics anymore.
1 person likes this
@cotruelove (1016)
• Denver, Colorado
21 Jan 12
Got a suggestion, call JoAnn's who also carries Kona, and ask them about the care and content of Kona. They are supposed to know according to law. 
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@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
21 Jan 12
Me and "dry clean" have never been friends!!! Odd that the brand site doesn't give care instructions of direction. I know that the best fabric for quilting is 100% cotton broadcloth, but I can't afford the specialtiy fabrics just for quiting! Beautiful, but I cna't afford it. I buy the 50/50 cotton/poly broadcloth at Joannes Craft, but it is so thin that it is really bad for quilting. I have been working with this lately and that has been my problem in several projects...it is so thin it allows seams underneath to make ridges and show through and it stretches, no matter how careful I am...it stretches. So now I have this stock of this kind of fabric I bought for quiting and can't use it!!!! So I guess my GD's will be having lots of nice dresses this year! Some is okay, just can't use it in large sections or for binding/sashings as it stretches and those are large areas, long and narrow often.
I know sheets are a perfect quilting fabric in my opinion so I am going to be looking for good patterns there. Walmart has solids for $5 for a twin, $10 for full so that is what my backs will be made of when I can't find a pattern fabric.
I always wash on cold but where the shrinkage happens is in the dryer...and I put that on light as possible and still get the stuff dried.
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
20 Jan 12
I haven't had experience with the charm packs, but the modern cottons aren't supposed to shrink. I have made many shirts etc with the fabrics (many are those that are in the charm packs) and didn't bother to prewash them. I didn't have problems with shrinkage. If it were flannel I might worry, as well as with denim, but kona fabrics shouldn't shrink. What you can do is take one of the squares, draw an outline on a piece of paper, wash and dry one of the fabric squares and then set it on the outline and see if there was any shrinkage. That way you would know for sure if there will be any shrinkage.
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
21 Jan 12
I was wondering about that...the "new" cottons. I know not to prewash a precut square, but wasn't sure about the rest..full yardage used for the sashings and bindings. I can't afford Kona by the yard and by the charm..price dictates! But it is beautiful fabric. I will try your suggestion.
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
25 Jan 12
These days the biggest reason for washing fabrics is to wash the manufacturing dust out of the fibers. The mills aren't super clean and dust particles do get embedded in the fabric. It's the dust that will dull your needle rather rapidly, plus it gets into the works of your sewing machine and makes you have to oil it more often. I regularly take my sewing machine outside and use my air compressor on it to blow the dust and lint out of the works.
