First welcome to the board. Lots of opinions and helpful tips. I am a pre-washer of everything that is going into a quilt or anything else for that matter. If I were going to wash everything after, I would do it in cold, low heat in the dryer for a short time then lay it out flat to finish drying. I have to pre-wash because I can't stand the smell and I have seen how some people handle the fabric in the stores with utter disgust. I've seen people who perspire heavily use the fabric to wipe their brows and neck areas. nuff said.