Originally Posted by
joe'smom
If pre-washed, the squares will shrink and will no longer be 10", and will no longer be square, as fabric shrinks unevenly.
I've never understood how shrinkage cannot lead to problems, when the shrinking happens after fabric is stitched into a block. If you pre-washed a 10" square before using, and had planned to use it in a block that called for a 10" square, you would no longer be able to use it in that block, as it would no longer measure 10" square. Yet it works out okay when shrinkage happens after stitching? Is this because the quilting stitches hold everything in place?
That is correct the quilting and batting regulate shrinkage. Most good quality cottons have little shrinkage. I have a log cabin quilt i did about 9 years ago, everything unwashed. Its slightly wrinkly but not by very much. I am still not a prewasher, but I have not had an issue with bleeders yet. Just started using batiks so only time will tell since I love batiks