Such a helpful site...thank you so much!! Answered some questions I've been having. :-)

I have never and will never prewash my batting. I learned from my mother - Warm and Natural - finish up the quilt, throw it in the washer, hang it out to dry - almost - then throw it in the dryer. Turns out perfect every time. No problem. I always wash my sashing, backing, border and binding, but never wash the pieces I use for making the blocks. I like the old fashioned look to it. HAve never had a problem. Actually, it is totally what the quilter wants to do - I guess it is "My Quilt - My Rules. I still have a lot to learn yet - more easier ways to put a quilt together for one - everything else for another.

Happy Quilting. Edie

I've been putting my batts in the dryer on low heat to fluff them up for at least the past 30 years. It does make a huge difference. This thread has got me to thinking about batt shrinkage. I wonder if I tossed in a damp towel with the batting if that would get it to shrink a bit? Anyone have any ideas on this?

What a great link, Luana!!! Thanks so much. I do "prewash" my cotton battings - but ONLY soak them for a while, spin out the water and toss in the dryer. I think I've read that you cannot do this with polys as they fall apart but I'm not positive.

If you do prewash PLEASE read the directions. I forgot and threw my batting in the washer like cloths. When I went back I had strings, so back to the Quilt Shop (it is only 5 blocks from me house}

Thanks for the thread to this site - very informative.

From what I can see in the site sample, there really isn't that much difference, UNLESS you are planning a show piece. If you are worried about your baby quilt, just DO IT!! I think you will be happily surprised.

Luana, thanks for the link. I had wondered about these same things. Glad to know someone else did the expirements and posted the results. It's very helpful to know these things.

I don't pre wash batting, never had a problem with it

I had tried to prewash batting and it ruined the batting. I spoke to the Hobbs people who sent me a new one and told me that their battings will not shrink, and they don't need to be prewashed. Even the cotton ones.