bearisgray

I've had Michael Miller black - which I purchased from a LQS - shrink over 2.5 inches in width.

I'm with your husband - soak those pieces in hot water - actually measure them before and after - just for kicks - roll them out in a towel to get rid of some of that water - and then dry them on a towel bar or drying rack.

I really can't tell - just by looking at a fabric - how it's going to behave. I've measured hundreds of fabrics before and after soaking them in hot water and washing them to see if there was any shrinkage. Some shrink not at all - including 'fabrics purchased at WalMart' - and I've had some noticeable shrinkage from fabrics purchased from all sources.