i only prewash if there is dye showing when I rub a white paper (very hard) on a fabric. I was told to do this by an LQS owner. i don't have a sensitivity to dyes,etc so no concern there. I don't worry much about shrinkage cause I use lots of steam when I iron the yardage so it shrinks then. I think a lot of the shrinkage that gives that "vintage" looks is because there's shrinkage with bat and backing (although I do wash backing often cause I find wideback needs to be in order to get it straight). I like to hand my washed fabric on the line to dry--less wrinkles!

I used to wash fabric before use but I don't anymore unless it's red or something I know will bleed. I honestly haven't noticed a difference. I find it a pain to wash and dry fabric before I use it. I don't have allergies though, if I did I probably would pre-wash.

I also pre-wash in hot water. To hopefully control bleeding and shrinkage. If I am concerned, about bleeding, I use Retayne, and let soak in hot water for about 1/2 hour, then finish washing. I don't always use soap. I just washed a wide 108 inch backing in hot water and after washing and drying, it was 102 inches in width. A good reason to pre-wash to me.

I do not pre wash. I will cut off a small piece and wet it and lay it on a white paper towel to see if it bleeds-but I only do that rarely. So far, I have been lucky. I do use color catchers when I wash the quilt.

I always prewash

Very useful article. Thanks for all of your research and taking the time to share it. Bookmarked and saved!

I'm in the pre-wash club. I wash them and then iron and starch them. Good as "new"!

I have had at least one fabric from every color group be a bleeder.

Orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, red, black and brown have all bled for me.

By the same token, most of the fabrics from all those groups have been color=fast.

I haven't figured out a way - by just looking - which ones are fast and which ones will bleed.

Also - I have had bleeders from "good" brands like Moda and Jinny Beyer for RJR.

I pre-wash everything. I don't like the "smell" fabrics have. I treat just like regular laundry, and dry in the dryer. I take out of dryer, and fold. I iron when needed. I have a friend who gives me a lot of fabric from her massive stash, which has all been pre-washed, and I re wash that. Se has a cat, and a dog, and DH is allergic so it all gets washed.

My experience with most, but not all, LQS owners and staff is that they either don't know that their fabrics bleed or they know and won't admit it.

I test everything, pre-wash most fabric, and Retayne those that don't stop bleeding with a soaking.