I prewash because of shrinkage and color fades.

I don't measure it, but I don't trust it. I test everything for colorfastness; then wash and dry everything.

Pre washing is the only safe way to guarantee that when you are finished it all fits right the first time you wash.

You can figure most cotton top quality quilting fabrics will shrink at least 3%. If you want that puckery look to your quilt, don't pre-wash. Batting shrinks too. If everything is washed beforehand, there will be less shrinkage in the finished product.

I've had several queen size quilts fit a full bed perfectly after washing it. Now I take that into consideration before I make that first cut.

Yes, and someone from this board recommended washing and drying flannel more than once!

When I am sewing for clothes, I pre-wash, but I have never pre-washed fabric for quilts, and have had no problems. The quilts I have given away seem to do ok as well.

I wash everything. I figure I can't go wrong doing this. I do enjoy so much handling the fabric, so it isn't a chore for me. Of course all that goes into quilting is such a joy.

The only time I prewash is when I suspect a fabric might run, for instance with red fabric. I kind of like the fabric finish when it comes new from the store. Then when I have to wash the finished quilt I like that it does shrink a bit and gives it a kind of crinkly look. I guess it just depends on your taste.

Let me know how this works. You may have just started something. LOL

That's a great idea! It would to be able to do it periodically so any additional weight could come off too!