I always pre-wash yardage and fat quarters. Then I iron the fabric and either put on my shelves or if a fat quarter, put into my fat quarter storage containers. When I am ready to make a quilt, the fabric is ready to cut and use. I rarely starch fabric as I assemble a quilt or other project because I like the feel of fabric without the starch. I know many quilters do not pre-wash fabrics and whatever works for others is fine for them. I prefer to work with pre-washed fabrics.

I prewash all 100% cotton fabric before using it. I use warm water and very very little detergent. If the colors are to bleed I want them to bleed in wash and rinse water instead of when washing the finished product! I dry the fabric using a medium heat. I want the fabric to be treated as if it were in the final product so all the bleeding and shrinking is done before hand. Sometimes I just use the rinse cycle, but I always dry the fabric in the dryer. This applies to 100% cotton quilting fabric which I usually get in a quilt store. One time I had some Walmart fabric...white and blue with a bit of red and that red bled and bled and bled.

I see that it is folded straight and then lay it out and cut it. So far that's worked for me. froggyintexas

Thanks for the laugh this morning--I needed it! :) I'm off to motivate my fabric now.

I prewash flannel twice but not anthing else. I do press before using it. I only use starch or best press for small pieces or stubborn wringles.

:D :p :o

It's usually me that needs the good motivational speech.