I always wash fabrics. I buy fabric in a local fabric shop, at JoAnn's, at Wal-mart, at garage sales, at the thrift store etc. Since I am sure there could be a big difference in quality, this levels the field some. Also, I iron the fabric after drying, sometimes with a light spray of starch. Then when the mood strikes me, I am ready to sort through my stash and go to it.