The yardage at my LQS is the same as the fabric of the jelly rolls and charm packs, and it is all expensive. With yardage I wash, preshrink and then cut what I need for the top I will be piecing and I wash the backing yardage and then cut as I need it. For me, I find the less expensive fabrics are fewer threads per inch.

Thanks for your advice Barb44 and nyelphaba and to anyone I've missed.

I'll take your advice and pre wash, then iron with starch before piecing in the future.

Barb44 - I like your well thoughtout reasons.