Cotton shrinks. The only way to prevent any surprises is to prewash. It's not compaint worthy, but a lesson.

Same here. If I'm going to starch, I starch *before* I cut. I also don't prewash unless a fabric fails a colorfast test. Quilting will stop fabrics from shrinking all wonkie after they are in the quilt. Before quilting, there's nothing to stop fabric shrinkage except starch (and, of course, pre-washing).

I would let the shop owner know about the shrinkage. They may not know about the problem, at least they will be able to tell other buyers.

view it as a lesson learned...

pre-wash all cottons...

a worse lesson learned would be to have a quilt finished then throw it in the wash and the color bleeds...all that work ruined...

pre-wash, press with starch, then cut

Yes, it's a lesson learned, for sure. I guess since it was such a small project, I thought I could cruise right thru it.

As for the info on the bolt, no, I didn't look at it. But the selvage says 100% cotton.

Thanks for the sympathy and advice!

its true starch will shrink the fabric - thats how you block a quilt when its done.

starch to shrink and water to stretch.

Yes, I had this same problem with a fabric I bought from WalMart. I did prewash! Everytime I ironed it shrunk just a little bit more. I finally gave up on using the fabric but whats funny is I have seen this same fabric at many other fabric stores other than WalMart.

I have always pre-washed any fabric I was sewing. I startred sewing garments many years ago, and I always felt it if it was something that was going to be washed and dried after construction, why take a chance of shrinkage. Also, if fabric has been pulled "wonky" on the bolt , then washing and drying will show that it is not on the straight. I then know to pull from the edges and bias to get it as straight as I can, then pressing. It does take a little prep time, but sure saves heartache later. And cottons, linen and wools are always going to shrink!

Me, too.

Lots of great advice here. All worth reading. Never imagined a piece shrinking before your eyes. That would ruin everything.