I pre-wash FQ's by hand too usually. Sometimes if I have a lot of them, I'll do a small load in the washing machine. Last night I was sewing some 10 inch blocks together by threes and figured it'd be easier to prewash them once I had a group. These came from a pre-cut bundle at Wal-mart's markdown area. 25 - Ten Inch Blocks.
I did say ten inch, right? ;)
After washing, they became 9 inch blocks...
Probably by the time I square them up, they will be 8 inch blocks. lol, so buyer beware. :)