I've known people to have developed a rash if it is over-done. I always wash new linen and clothes, before use, because of this. My quilts are generally displayed, so I generally don't pre-wash.

I know people who had to quit their beloved quilt shop jobs because of allergies to the formaldehyde. I would definately prewash if its for a baby, or someone with allergies.

In the last year, my mother and I have had to wash any new clothing, especially blouses made with cotton. If we don't, we end up looking like lobsters! Not where the fabric touches, but where it doesn't!! We have had red, itchy faces and necks and sought medical help. Now I use unscented washing detergent and NO softener!! AND I wash my quilt fabric before using with a color catcher and also after it's completed, before giving away.

Gee this is scary but according to my friends husband which is an externimatior bed bugs are prominent right now so i just wash all things first clothes fabric for quilts and use my stash mostly

I have contact dermaticis (SP). Doc gave me med for my hands and suggest I was fab 10 yes 10 times but I just wash everything twice. I wear exam gloves when I'm sewing the edges together before washing. Guess I'll never have pretty hands cuz I sew so much.

If you do sew alot, buy hand CREAM not lotion. Cream has more of the good stuff that we need to put the moisture back into our skin.

Thanks Lori S. for the info! I didn't know this, and yngldy........that was a great question! I'm often asked why I wash all the fabric I buy........and I just say, "that was what my first teacher told me to do".........NOW I'll have a better answer.

There is a place here in Colorado that one can go to get material , its been around for 35 years and they are wonderful people- We pick up freight from them quite often. Here is their website: http://www.envirotextile.com/
I have not used their fabric yet -keyword-yet- Have to have the time to get up there when they are open (as I am a feely type person when it comes to material). I was talking to the owner's daughter and she was saying some of their materials start at $4.00 and up to $20.00. It might be worth a try, yah you would have to pay for shipping and handling-but its supposed to be an all natural fabrics.

However, if our quilt fabric adds just enough chemical to throw the chemicals in house components into the danger zone, we'd better be "excited".

wow I didn't know that. Fingernail polish has it. It makes your nails harder.

Isn't it great what you learn on here. I didn't always wash my fabric unless I thought it might bleed. But you have me a believer to wash always. I have also just put it through a rinse & not a wash so I will be changing that also. Thank you so much for the information.