What's good for the goose should be good for the gander'! There is such a huge market for the pre-cuts and you can't pre-wash them why should you wash the same fabric in yardage? I personally choose not to use pre-cuts because they are costly and I like to choose my own coordinates. I also don't care for them because they are most often way off-grain. I like to store my fabric as purchased. Then, If I select one to use that needs to be pre-washed I prewash everything I use with it so that the shrinkage will all be the same. Thus, sometimes, I pre-wash and other times not at all. I always wash a new quilt because I like the look and also to let the recipient know that it is OK to wash it. Most often I tuck the washing instructions cut from the batting package in with the gift. this question of washing and not washing is never going to go away!