I gather information....evaluate it.....then do what is right for me.....Years ago I pre washed all my fabric, until the ravels on the ends and all the ironing and folding got the better of me....now do not prewash anything !...I like almost everything so that is what I do, I don't do what I don't like because it will never turn out correct, because my attitude will show......I made quilts for family members until they no longer cared, I now only make charity quilts and they are ALWAYS appreciated......I sew for my self not the world, whatever floats my boat at the time....summer is different from winter....but one goal of trying a new pattern evey month or so has been very interesting, to date have not really done any pattern twice. Do like the saying she who dies with fabric, didn't sew fast enough.....