PrettyKitty

I agree, I always prewash my fabrics as soon as I get them. I put them straight into the washing machine as soon as they arrive in the post, or when I get back from the store, that way I won't forget. As a result most of my clothes have strings on them off the fabric when I come to do my ironing!

bearisgray

it's another step, and does slow down the process a tad, but if one overcasts (either with a long, narrow, zig-zag stitch or serging)the edges before washing, all those loose threads are minimized.

I used to lose up to half an inch or more on each end (on some fabrics that had been cut weirdly) due to raveling.

I also have had some fabrics that kept that crisp edge no mattter what I did to them.