Fabric ShrinkageUse this search feature to quickly find the information you're looking forFabric shrinkage is usually controlled by quilters prewashing their fabrics. While this appears a good idea there are a few things to think about first. * Shrinking your fabrics removes the mildew retardant that is needed if the fabrics are going to be stored. * Shrinking also removes the finish that was applied to control light damage. * Shrinking the fabrics can cause them to be more elastic and thus more difficult to manage when cutting or sewing them. * If you decide to make a more antique looking quilt the best way to do this is not to preshrink your fabrics until after the quilt has been made.
Shrink tests have been done with cotton fabrics and shown that good quality fabrics shrink less, around 2% both in length and width. Poor quality fabrics when tested shrank up to 6% in length and width. Another factor to consider is that fabrics are stabilized when stitched together in a quilt, so they shrink less than when left in a whole piece.
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