I have to wash my fabrics purchased specifically for my petnappers for animal shelter. I want to make sure all chemicals are out. After I finish making the petnapper, I rewash again to make sure no animal fur on any of them from my own little spoiled furbabies here at home.

Nope, never have. Was going to with my last one, but didn't have time before the class. Hope all goes well since they are batiks

I am guessing those who don't prewash their fabrics also don't wash their NEW store bought clothes before they wear them! Not enough words to express the ICK factor there!

I just loved the oranicclothing blog link...that was a great read...
and folks should remember, where that fabric is now being made and what all it comes in contact with prior to us buying at the store...

these days it is not just about shrinkage or dyes bleeding, it is about the over all amount of chemicals and germs on that fabric.
Chemicals that are released every time you touch, cut, and iron that fabric!

I agree! I was clothes before I wear them for the same reason. You never know who tried them on before you. My kids call me a clean freek or a germaphobe!

If it is red, it is prewash!

I prewash, mostly because of the chemicals used to preserve the fabric and to catch any bleeding colors (I use a color catcher in the wash) and to preshrink the fabric (some fabric shrinks, some doesn't but I want to be covered either way).

I do not prewash jelly rolls though, or anything precut in small or narrow pieces. It's just too much, trying to untangle them if they fray a bit and then I have to iron every little piece so I just cut and sew and don't worry about it. So far haven't had any problems.

I am prewashing more because every time I walk into a store that sells fabric I start coughing and I can't breathe. This happens sometimes in my small sewing room. I need to remember to take an allergy pill before shopping and sewing. I like working with non washed fabric.

I pre-wash everything! All fabrics hit the washer before being allowed in my sewing room. I can't handle the chemicals and smells on the fabrics, so I get rid of them.
Also helps to find "bleeders" early.

Some do and some don't. I personally pre-wash everything.