I'm a manic pre and post washer. I too worry about loose threads or a mis sewn seam. I am so glad I'm not alone in the "fur" department. I read a quilting magazine a couple of years ago and someone had an advert in for quilting services, in large print it said ALL WORK DONE IN SMOKE AND PET FREE ENVIRONMENT. I understand that people would like things to be fresh and clean when paying good money, but I did feel it kind of took the human and homely aspect out of the quilting process.