Pre Washing hemp fleece?

[lupineperriwinkle]

I just washed my 10 yards in hot 2 times and dried it for an extended period on high. Is this enough to shrink it or should I do it some more? I am such a lazy seamstress that I have never pre-washed fabric.

[AinNJ]

you're better than i am! i only pre-wash my hemp fleece once. ROFL!!!

but seriously, i don't think i lose much (if any) after sewing (at least my seams doesnt get wonky) and like i said, i only prewash once. so i think you're fine with 2 washes. happy sewing!

[rubelin]

I think that's as much as I usually prewash hemp, though I also wash the dipes made out of it once or twice before I use them to make sure the pee doesn't just run right off the sides

[pinky]

Hmmm...I always prewash my hemp fleece 4x...I know I read somewhere that was how much it took....anyone else heard of that? It's not so much an issue of shrinkage as getting the natural resins or something out of it that will inhibit absorbancy.

[rubelin]

Originally Posted by pinky

Hmmm...I always prewash my hemp fleece 4x...I know I read somewhere that was how much it took....anyone else heard of that? It's not so much an issue of shrinkage as getting the natural resins or something out of it that will inhibit absorbancy.

Yeah, since it's more a matter of getting out the resins, I wash it two or 3 times before cutting, then a few times after I sew it. I use community laundry facilities so I try to cut down on washing as much as possible. All the lint and weight of full cuts of fabric are really hard to wash and its cheaper to wash the sewn dipes a few times before using them to get the resins out. They are a bit more water resistant when I first start using them than afte a couple of weeks, but that's what I get for saving some $$

Robin~

[AinNJ]

oh yeah. i think i wash my dipes at least 5 or 6 times before i get really good absorbancy out of them. but as far as shrinkage goes, i only prewash once. then i sew them and use them as day dipes until they wash up thirsty.