The instructor in the quilting class I took in February said that there was no need to wash fabrics these days because they were woven much better than years ago and pretty much all were straight on the grain. Well, let me tell you, not only is this not so, but even the higher quality fabric I bought from her shop was way off on the grain, only to be noticed once washed. If I'd made my quilt using it straight off the bolt it would have been a twisted mess once washed, so I personally wouldn't want the recipient of any of my quilts to be disappointed after washing it the first time, not to mention all the work that goes into the finished quilt. I consider washing the fabric and ironing/starching it to be the first step in making a quilt. Just my opinion.