bearisgray

the brief version: overcast raw edges, soak, wash, dry, fold, put away, iron before cutting.

I unfold the fabric.- that crease does not need any more abrasion.

I serge or overcast the raw edges of most larger pieces.

I soak like colors in hot water - as hot as it comes from the tap - until the water cools down.

If the water says clear, then I wash the fabrics on a short, gentle cycle with a very small amount of mild detergent, preferably unscented.

Then I line dry or dry in the dryer without any dryer sheets.

I then fold the fabric and store it until ready to cut it.
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Most good quality fabtics dry smoothly enough so just hand smoothing them is enough until ready to cut.

Iron/ press before cutting. if one is going to cut little pieces, or pieces with bias edges, starch/sizing might Be done about here. I am of the belief that fabric should have enough body after being washed to not need additional additives to be managrable. But to each his/ her own.

If the water is colored during the soaking process, I try to figure out which piece of fabric is colorng the water and then rinse that piece some more.

If I cannot get it to stop coloring the water, I dry it and discard it.

Some people would treat that piece with Retayne at that point.

I want to be able to toss all the colors I sm planning to use in the washer with all of them still the same color that I put in - without needing to worry about remembering to use color catchers or some additive such as Synthrapol.

I also assume my "clientele" will not have nough sense to baby the quilts.

I will give stern cautions about avoiding bleach!

A caveat: never let wet fabrics set in a basket for a long tome before drying them - this is another opportunity for dye transfer

The peocess really is not that labor intensive. I do my soaking of small pieces in kettles or bowls.
I can soak a really big piece in the kitchen sink.

I have had bleeds - that is why I go to such lengths to try to avoid them now.
I have also had some drastic shrnkage. I did not like that, either.