Nothing smaller then a FQ goes into the washer loose. But...I wash even FQ's in a mesh lingerie zipper bag so they don't get tormented in the washer too much. I pre-wash everything - if it's a small piece I hand wash it. I saw the most STUNNING quilt at a show once (looked like it easily took a year to make with all the fantastic hand applique') and there were multiple tiny areas of color bleeding off (reds and burgundy) into the cream background. I bet that quilter wanted to HANG herself. That was all I needed to see.. I am a fabric washin' kinda gal.
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