I haven't pre-washed quilt fabric for about 25 years. I did it once... I ended up with 'strings' all over the place and said enough was enough. I don't even wash reds or blacks. If the quilt is washed in cold water once it is complete, the chance that it will run is minimal. I have also never had to rewash, soak, or whatever. Does the cotton shrink? It might after a couple of cold washings because then I will wash with hot water. I do this for Amish style quilts where you want the shrinkage that is always there on an Amish quilt. But for the rest, I wash in cold water, have little shrinkage and no running of colors. Besides, what is the sense of washing all the sizing off, and then ironing with spray starch to get the 'hand' back?
Anita in Northfield, MN