I think it's up to the quilter to prewash or not. As grammiesews4u said...it's your quilt so your rules.

I once saw a Postage Stamp quilt that was made way, way back. The pieces were cut and sewn by hand and finished at approximately 1" but there were lots of repeats. Back then, every scrap counted and nothing was wasted.

I would not prewash what you have. After the top is done, you can wash the entire thing with a color grabber for anything that might bleed. Using different types of fabrics gives the quilt character :-D

I use 1 1/4" blocks for mine. I bought some cork boards at walmart and glued them to a board, covered them with felt. I lay my blocks out on the board until the colors please my eye.I then stick a pin in the blocks so the fan doesn;t blow them away before I sew them. Mine is in the trip around the world pattern.

there is a 1 1/2 inch strip die that you can use to cut them into squares

I make a lot of scrappy quilts and don't prewash. Haven't had a complaint yet.

You can join in the Postage Stamp Swaps here on the board. There are several per year. Another is coming soon!
If you PM me your address, I can send you some squares. :)

I miss your avatar, Carolaug!

I love yours...he/she is soooo cute.

Oops! I guess I should explain a little better. I have already gotten rid of all the unwashed scraps....about 60 pounds worth....boxes full.
I have extreme allergies to the formaldehyde and can only last in a quilt shop for about 15 minutes before I have to leave. I notice in the past 6 months or so it seems to be getting even shorter and shorter on the time...I do a lot of shopping online. I can go in the LQS and find a line I like and usually find it cheaper online, so that works.

The Accuquilt Studio has a 1-1/2" die (#50601). I searched the Go dies, but you are right they only go to 2". If it is important that you be able to use the die cutter, I'd just go up the half inch. It will look just as fabulous.