When I buy fabric from the chain stores, I do look at the weave and anything that is loosely woven stays in the store. When I do buy fabric there, I almost always wash and dry it as I do my regular wash. Sometimes the stuff I have gotten feels fine....but when it is washed....it is much thinner...like they really must have put some sizing or somethin in it. And also I like to measure it before tossing it into the wash, then dry, iron, and measure again....I have found some of the fabric is an amazing shrinking fabric...sure wish I could wash myself like and shrink as much. Now I have used some of that amazing shrinking fabric...but it has been preshrunk by me so hopefully, doesn't end up puckering the whole quilt unevenly.