i make quilts that i sell and gift...and always, whether i prewash the fabrics or not, the last thing i do before the quilt goes to a new home, is wash it and dry it. it is like a final test... i use cold water, one ounce of detergent, one color catcher and use the perm/press cycle of front load washing machine. when done, it goes into the dryer on medium heat. there is very little shrinkage if any, and i have never had a problem. so far, they all come out of the dryer looking like they are supposed to look and feel like they are supposed to feel like.