I designed a king size quilt with EQ6. I normally purchase a little more fabric than the pattern requires. One of the fabrics required 5 yards (according to EQ6). I didn't purchase any more than the requirement. If I wash the fabric before I use it, how much will I lose due to shrinkage? I hope you can make sense of what I am asking. Thanks in advance.

**Edited to add: It is 100% cotton quilt shop quality fabric.

I wash mine in warm water and dry on medium heat. I don't find that there is much shrinkage. Now if you dry on hot, you will probably get a noticeable amount of Shrinkage.

I should think the shrinkage would be minimal, but, I never prewash any of my fabrics, and I have never had any issues with colours bleeding yet!

Thanks, Chuck. I was planning to wash with warm and dry on low.

I don't normally prewash either, but the fabric in question is red and I don't want to take any chances.

It's been my experience with EQ that the fabric requirements are generous... but I'm stingy in my cutting, trying to plan for no waste.

I don't prewash too often anymore but when I did I took it out of the dryer slightly damp and got very little shrinkage. It also depends on the fabric.

Thank you, Nancy. I was hoping that would be the case.

Thanks, Lori.

Most manufactures will tell you to expect 2-3 % shrinkage. Flannel is a whole different issue, 6 percent or more is not unusual.