Originally Posted by
Pollytink
I've read this several times on the QB and still wonder if this affects the finished product? E.G. a lap quilt made of charms or strips....wouldn't they shrink when finally washed in the quilt and distort it? Or is the quilting process supposed to stabilize it? TIA!
Batting and quilting controls most of the shrinkage in a quilt. I have never prewashed, nor has my aunt that quilts and none of our quilts are distorted in any way. I have a quilt my aunt gave me 16 years ago that look great still. People even mix washed and prewashed together with no problems. Also cotton shrinks more over time so you will still get some shrinkage even if you prewash. Washing to me is more if you are worried about fabrics bleeding than shrinking.