Originally Posted by
Onebyone
If you wash the smaller pieces then you will need to press them. Pressing and washing will probably shrink them a little. So if they don't have to be certain size (example: precuts ) then pre wash. Or wash after the quilt is made.
I only prewash if directed to do for for a swap or something like that. If your fabric is 'close' to quilting cotton you should be safe but not I would not prewash. Other than that I would follow Onebyone's thoughts on this.