But do you all prewash before sewing? Or do you simply wash before sewing, if you wash at all?

Do you cut your fabric before sewing or do you pre-cut it before cutting or sewing? LOL

"Pre-" means "before". Do you "before iron before you sew"? Do you "before dry before you sew" or do you just dry it before you sew?

I understand that we THINK of "pre-washing" fabric as "washing before" we sew. But think about the meanings. That's really saying "before washing before" or "washing before before". Get it now?

My "prewashing" is overcasting or serging the raw edges of the fabric before i get the fabric wet,
OR
doing something to the fabric to facilitate stain removal or extra heavy dirt removal.

I think we get so used to seeing "pre-" added to words such as "wash" - that the words look "wrong" when used without the "pre-"

I wash, dry, and iron all fabric before cutting. In colors I use Color Catcher. This saves problems with colors bleeding and shrinking in the fihished product. To combat odors, I add Arm and Hammer washing soda to the laundry detergent.

I usually tear off about 1/2 yard of the fabric...giving me a straight line to work with....I starch the dry fabric and iron it...I then put selvages together and make sure the fold hangs straight. The only time I wash is if the fabric has been sitting folded for a long time or has something on it that I did not notice before (like a stain.) I mostly steam press or starch my fabric. I find starch makes the cutting easier if the fabric is thin or drapey. If it is a thick fabric, I only steam press but I always use small amounts like 1/2 yard to do my cutting...so much easier to manage.

i think in "quilter's" definition of "pre", it refers to doing that action before starting the quilt...at least that is my interpretation of the prefix used as it is in the original post.

...and btw, I do not do any of the pre actions...well, I do iron before cutting, and if I suspect a bleeder, I will hot water test a small piece. Don't use starch at all.

I only buy fabric for each project. My 'stash' consists of those leftovers. When I buy fabric I do pre-wash. Then starch and iron. I have purchased some fabrics for a long term project that have yet to be pre washed. When I have all the fabrics collected and start on that project, then I'll do the wash/dry/iron routine but not before.

If it is for backing, border and sashing, I wash it and iron it. If it is small pieces for samplers, I iron first, cut it and then iron it again and then, of course, I have my handy dandy post it notes and mark the size of the cut and pin it and everything is all ready for sewing. I do all the blocks first, and put them in a plastic bag (gallon size) folded in the "recipe" for the block. Very simple, very easy. Edie

PS - I don't starch anything. I am afraid I will pull the fabric and make it larger than it should be. Never have had a problem.

I like the stiffness of the fabric when I buy it. For me it is easier to work with when cutting. I wash all quilts prior to gifting. I do however wash a particularly dark or saturated color with a color catcher especially if a white is used anywhere in the quilt.

Only iron my fabric unless I think it might bleed. Then I snip a piece, wet it and lay on a white paper towel.

I starch and press it before I cut into it. I will cut an amount what I think I'll need for the project but that's all the cutting I'll do till I have it heavily starched and pressed.................then I cut to my heart's content......:-)