I just finished washing twelve FQs. Not enough to fill a wash load. filled a bucket with hot water and just a bit of detergent. (I don't do anything to the FQs.)

Swished them around for a minute and drained the water and refilled a couple of times to rinse the soap.

I throw the water into the garden, not down the drain. That would be a waste. Every bit of water that can go back to ground, should.

Squeezed out most of the water and tossed into the dryer untill damp dry. I would usually hang them outside but was in a hurry to use the fabric.

When damp dry I spray them with home made starch and press them dry for immediate use.
peace

I use this same process for jelly rolls. Put in sink with straight Hot water and 1 - 2 tsp of Retayne. Like colors together. Gently swish with wooden spoon. Let sit 20 minutes. Rinse until water is clear. Place in salad spinner and twirl until most of the excess water is spun out. Hang on clothes drying rack to dry. When nearly dry press. I find using the straight hot water gets the shrinking accomplished without resorting to clothes dryer.

I have handwash cycle and never used it...Now I have to try it out for the fat quarters. Do you do the same
for larger pcs. of fabric

I wash, dry and iron them all.
except Jelly rolls.

depending on the # of fg's I put the in a laundry bag, the mesh one, or if at lot I just throw them in the washer.
Dosn't seem to ravel too much, ,take them out while the are still hot and place over a clothes rack.
Good luck.

Great ideas thank you!!!!!

I throw them in the sink with hot water and dish soap. Swish them around, rinse, throw into the salad spinner and iron dry. If too many for a sink wash, laundry bag and dryer.

I no longer pre wash my fat quarters; but when I did wash them, I serged both cut edges. You could zig zag the raw edges or cut them with pinking shears. Merivale's suggestions would work and would be faster.

I do this too.

That's what I use to wash FQs. You can put six or more in the lingerie bag and there's minimal stringing.