For me all quilting cottons shrink and many batiks bleed. When I first started I measured the fabric before and after I washed. A yard before seemed to be a yard after, so I was thinking about skipping the washing step. Then I started also measuring the width. I have found that everything, except batik, seems to shrink at least 1 inch across the width, sometimes as much as 3-4 inches. I know that non washers say that the quilting stabilizes the fabric, but I just can't get my head around that! So I wash everything, including pre cuts. I wash yardage in the washer and swish the smaller stuff in the sink, then spin in a salad spinner and air dry.