I recently got some fabric out to use in a quilt, I couldn't remember anything about where or when I got it. To look at it, it seemed fine. It has been stored in a drawer in my sewing room. I thought about just cutting it, so I could get going sooner on my quilt, but decided I better wash it. It totally fell apart, it was in shreads, just desolved in the water. I am so glad I didn't skip that step and have it fall apart in the quilt. So as you can see, my recomendation is, wash first!!