I only wash it if it is flannel, I like the "new" look .

Me to! I call it 'blooming'.

I never prewash fabric purchased from my LQS. I like the crinkly look to my quilt after it's washed and dried. However, when someone gives me fabric or I buy from a thrift store, I do prewash.

I do prewash and was amazed at the amount of bleeding they do. I put a Shout color catcher in with the material that I wash. Very seldom is there not any color from the material that I washed.

varies

I'm one that does both. I use vinegar in rinse suppose to prevent bleeding colors.

I never wash the fabric before. I think the crispness of new fabric makes for even seams and when you finish your project, you can wash it. If it shrinks, then it will shrink as a whole so no damage done. I always use one of those color catcher cloths in a cold water wash. My projects turn out perfect everytime.
Blessings,
MaryAnna

I pre-wash all cotton, but not fat quarters or other pre-cuts, panels I soak briefly to see if any dyes run, I do flannels wash/dry twice, no decorator fabrics get washed, and usually trim cottons with pinking shears to help eliminate all those strings and no ironing till using....just yank out of dryer and smooth/fold.

The very first quilt I made I did not prewash. The dark red color (which my "teacher" helped me choose w/o any warning!) I'd used on the border bled into everything. I ended up discovering the little sheets you can put into your washing machine (color grabbers) and they took out the extra color. But the thought of giving a quilt to someone and having them go through the trauma I did because the colors run terribly is not a nice thought.

I use a plastic tub in the kitchen sink and keep HOT water in it with the fabric for 20 minutes or so, squeeze what water I can out (no twisting) and then put it into a HOT dryer just until it is done, or almost done. My dryer has a cool down cycle and I put the fabric in for about 10 minutes before that cycle and if I get them out right away they are smooth and wrinkle free. If it turns out wrinkled you let it get too dry.

I've seen a lot of my quilts that my kids and grandkids have used and they are all soft and cozy looking so I don't think the "let it shrink to look like quilts of old" is as valid as some would like to think.

No I never prewash. Only the fat quarters that I so the swaps because they say I have to prewash. If anyone does he fat quarter swaps and dosen't care if they are washed or not jsut say so. I hate prewashing, even if it is a fat quarter.