Okay, I'm not the quilt police, but there are a few things I will ALWAYS do. I always wash the fabric before I cut, because I don't want the fabric to shrink, AFTER the quilt is finished and washed. If there are vibrant colors, reds, oranges, blues, whatever, I will dye-set the fabric -- better to do that than ruin a quilt with "bleeding". My quilts will NEVER be PERFECT. I try to do my best and that's all I can do. I am NOT PERFECT, NEVER WILL BE! But, my quilts are made with love, and that's the most important ingredient or fabric in any quilt!