Have been prewashing for 50 years and will not stop now. Also, no matter where purchased dirt, bugs and people handling, who knows what is on material, along with shrinkage and bleeding. I am wanting to buy some layer cakes to make the big Jenny Dorn star and guess I will not wash them because of fraying. First precut I will have used. But I too feel is it up to eaach person, but being made overseas who knows what is on/in material, they do not have the same standards for shops/plants as we do.