The thrifted fabrics I chose for my August tote were all in new condition: clean, odorless, as if they'd come straight from a fabric store. So why did I wash them first?
Two words: dye shedding. Dye shedding is always a hazard with unwashed fabrics. Most quilters would also agree that red is the worst.
I handwashed each fabric individually in cold water and a little detergent.
The red linen shed plenty of dye.
So did the chili novelty print. When a fabric is multiple colors along with the red like this one, it's best to add a color grabber sheet to the wash to soak up the dye, or areas like the white background of this print and lighter colors in the print will turn pinkish.
The bug print shed red, blue and yellow dyes, turning the wash water a greenish orange.
You should always wash any fabric you thrift if possible before you use it; that will remove any dirt or debris you don't notice along with storage or age odor. If the fabrics do stink add a little white vinegar to the bath and let them soak for thirty minutes, and that should get rid of it. But the primary reason is dye shedding, which may cause color migration into other areas of a completed project the first time you wash it, and ruin all your hard work.
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