My daughter is expecting her first child - and my first grandchild - in April of next year. I plan on making several crib quilts using the birthing method. I have prewashed and dried the fabric, starched and ironed it, and just about ready to start. I purchased 2 different kinds of batting from JoAnns. One is called Sew Perfect by Fairfield, 100% unbleached cotton, needlepunched, no scrim, washable or dry cleanable, hand or machine quilting. The other is also by Fairfield, 80% cotton and 20% polyester, hand or machine quilting, may be pre-soaked if no shrinkage is desired. Both are estimated to have 2-3% shrinkage. My question is can I put these in the washer and dryer to take care of the shrinkage before starting the quilts? The packaging for the 100% cotton says nothing about pre-soaking. Thanks in advance for the input from those much more experienced than I.

I pre shrink my batting by soaking in the washer filled with water, don't let it agitate. Spin the water out, may need to spin a second time. Dry in the dryer, fluffing often on a low setting. Be careful not to let the damp/wet batting stretch. I use 80% cotton 20% poly. If I use a 100% poly I fluf it in the dryer on air dry. Hope this helps.

I prewashed the fabrics in cold water. Should I presoak using cold water as well or should I use warm water? Quilt will probably be washed in cold water in the future.