Hemp question

[pageta]

So I want to make some hemp prefolds. Here's my question: Does the grain go the long way on the finished diaper or the short way? Do they stretch the long way or the short way? My hemp prefolds that I bought never lay flat as though they weren't cut on the grain, and I can't tell which way they stretch more. The shrinking appears to be more from end to end than side to side - they were 22 x 14 and they are now 19 x 13.5.

Also, do I shrink and then sew or sew and then shrink?

Thanks!

[scheelimama]

I would do them with the stetchiness going across, so that when you put it on baby you can stetch the "wings" to make it fit longer. I'm not sure which way normally shrinks up more, but I would probably shrink and then sew so that you can make sure they are the finished size that you want. If you really want that quilted effect, then you'll want to sew and then shrink. In which case, I would cut off a small amount and wash it a few times to see which way shrinks more and approximately by how much, so you know how much you will lose. Does that make sense? Hope so. Good luck!
-Alisha-

[pageta]

Well, this is interesting. I've washed it three times in hot water with a tiny bit of detergent, cold rinse, completely dry in the dryer. I had 2 yards 26 inches wide. I now have 66 inches of fabric 28 inches wide.

[scheelimama]

Hmmm... I don't understand how that could be. Well, I guess you didn't lose too much anyway. Good luck!