I finally got up the nerve to wash some of my fabric. I took advice from this group. Bought some shout color blockers. Put them in the washing machine. Fabric in a pillow case and washed on delicate. The fabric was wrinkled of course. I had done a zig zag stich to prevent/lessen fraying. Took the fabric and put it outside on my clothes line. Brought it in and ironed it using spray starch (also first time). Wow, fabric is nice and crisp, but, not overly starchy. I love how the fabric turned out. Made cutting blocks a breeze, and blocks are perfect cut. Thanks to all of you!!!

good for you!! I always wash my fabric and hang it on the line. I started using spray starch and it really works. i've learned so much on this board.bless ya'll

I need to try the starch!

great tip about doing the zigzag around the edge before we wash the fabric to lessen the fraying

No book can beat the advice of this board. Thanks all

I serge all my fabrics before washing - and I wash just about all my fabrics. That way, when I pull something from my stash, I can tell immediately if it's been washed or not. If it doesn't have a serged edge, it wasn't washed.

Why didn't you put the fabrics in the dryer? I do so that if any shrinking will happen, it happens in the dryer.

I find washing the fabric helps to straighten the distortion of the grain.

If you hang the fabric on the line, why not use the less expensive liquid starch before hanging. And it doesn't leave so much residue on the iron, as well.

Good point about the dryer!

you get the same amount if you spray it damp and iron it....