You raise a good question. I love to buy old tops and quilt them myself but I like to soak them first and air dry. It's more enjoyable for me to work on them that way. I had one problem years ago with a top coming apart but I machine washed it. I was new to quilting and didn't even notice the seams which weren't done very tight. I still used the fabrics for another quilt though.
Thanks for the post! I'm enjoying all the opinions :D
Oh and congrats for getting the bargains!!!!!!! Isn't it FUN???