I can't imagine dealing with all the ravelling from pre-cuts-so I don't pre-wash. I have been told by numerous people that you should pre-wash everything or nothing. Fabric, however, does not shrink uniformly so I'm not sure that comment is valid. I don't pre-wash and I mix types of cotton fabric (never polyester blends), wash the finished product and enjoy the crinkle of the end product.The fabric and the batting all shrink some and contribute to that look.