To wash or not to wash. As many different answers as there are quilters. Personally, I wash all my fabric then spray starch the daylights out of it when I use it. I LOVE batiks!!! Really love them. I bought some Bali Pops in reds and blues and was very concerned with them running. You certainly can't put them in a washing machine!!! I took the strips and soaked them in a basin in very hot, hot water and then gently dried them in a towel then ironed them. Worked fine and no bleeding. I have since then started using this same method with anything less than a yard. I have been tremendously amazed at how much they bleed. I have been known to soak a piece3 or 4 times to get out some of the dyes. I'm nervous about a project I'm almost done with and will wash it with Retayne when I'm done.