There was a thread a while ago when someone asked if he/she should cut the selvages off before washing the fabric. In my opinion, the answer to that is: No. No. No.

If I'm using part of a large piece I will cut off the selvage but I keep it in the fabric just in case I need to remember what it is.

Like almost everyone else I cut it off when I have to, and if it is a fabric I think I may want more of I definitely keep the selvages.

I've started saving selvages with enough fabric so I remember what it looks like. Helps if I need more too. OR if I decided down the road I want to use the same one on another project.

I cut the selvedge off when I use the fabric - I keep it in a bin and when there is enough I send it to someone that wants it. My fabric gets washed when it comes into the house. That way I don't need to do it when I start to use it. Ironing will wait until it is used though.

Same here.

I am also do not trim mine.

I don't trim the selvages until I'm cutting the pieces for my blocks.

Iceblossom, I've had red that ran and ran and ran, again, again and again. I discovered a product made and sold by Ritz Dye -- it stopped my bleeding problem, so I use it all the time. I also test all my fabric before I wash it -- if it bleeds, it gets treated. As you so correctly pointed out, it only takes one time -- I can't afford to have a quilt ruined by bleeding, and I can't afford to throw fabric away if it bleeds. So, I treat it, then test it again -- I've never had to treat fabric the second time, but discretion is the better part of valor, so I DO use color catchers.

Jeanette, what is the name of the Ritz product you found to prevent bleeding? Would you pm me the info please. Thanks.
I prewash all of my fabrics and had a DWR queen size I made for my daughter several years ago, bleed when it was washed. I had prewashed all of the fabric before cutting it out an thought all was good to go but the green still bled after the quilt was made and I could never get it out.
I never cut the selvage off until I am ready to use the fabric and save it sometimes so if I need more of the same fabric. I always leave a little on the piece to be sure of the grain of the fabric - old school teaching for me.
Funny to run across this thread after just reading about salvaging your selvage on Mayra at So Sew Easy with her free Romper pattern. You might want to check it out and read the article.