How you wash and dry fabric by the yard affects color, hand, and finished size. Use this guide before you cut — especially if the garment or bag will be washed after sewing.
Prewash before you cut
Most cotton knits, French terry, fleece, canvas, twill, and denim will shrink a little the first time they get wet and dry. Prewashing the yardage (or a large scrap) before you cut your pattern helps the finished piece match what you planned.
- Wash the way you expect the finished item to be washed.
- Dry the same way you will dry the garment or bag.
- Press lightly if the fabric wrinkled, then cut.
If you are dyeing or garment-washing after sewing, skip a hard prewash and account for shrinkage in your pattern instead.
Care by fabric family
Cotton jersey, French terry, fleece, waffle, and rib
Machine wash cold or warm on a gentle cycle. Tumble dry low or line dry. High heat can tighten the knit and fade color. Turn garments inside out to reduce surface pilling. Matching rib for cuffs and neckbands should be washed with the body fabric so shrinkage stays aligned.
Shop: Jersey · French terry · Fleece · Waffle & thermal · Rib knit
Cotton duck canvas and twill
Machine wash cold; tumble dry low or line dry. Heavy canvas softens after the first wash. Avoid bleach. For structured bags and aprons that will not be washed often, a gentle wipe-clean finish is fine — still prewash if the bag will go in the laundry later.
Shop: Canvas · Twill · Tote bags & utility
Denim
Wash cold, inside out, and dry low or hang dry to keep indigo from fading too fast. Selvedge and rigid denim can shrink more in length than width — measure after the first wash before final hemming when you can.
Shop: Denim
Linen
Wash cold or lukewarm; line dry or tumble low. Linen softens with use and wrinkles by nature — press while slightly damp if you want a smoother look. Avoid harsh bleach on colored linen.
Shop: Linen
Polyester and poly blends
Cool wash, low dry. Polyester holds shape and color well but can melt under a hot iron — use a lower iron setting or a press cloth.
Ironing and steam
Match heat to fiber: cotton and linen take more heat; polyester and blends need less. When in doubt, test on a scrap cut from the same yardage. Steam helps knits relax; avoid stretching the fabric while it is hot and wet.
Color and crocking
Deep indigo, reds, and some garment-dyed shades can release a little color in the first few washes. Wash darks separately at first. If you need the exact shade for a production run, order a swatch first, then wash it the way your customer will.
Yardage tips from The Fabric Lot
- We cut to order in Los Angeles as one continuous piece when stock allows.
- Retail starts at one yard. Wholesale starts at one full roll — see Wholesale.
- For weight and width before you buy, read GSM vs ounces and how to calculate yardage.
Questions about a specific fabric? Contact The Fabric Lot with the product name, color, and how you plan to wash the finished piece.
Also useful: fabric by the yard in Los Angeles, tote & backpack fabric guide, ordering FAQ, and French terry buyer’s guide.