I only prewash fabrics that may bleed. I stopped prewashing a while ago because I like to keep the pretty sheen of unwashed fabric as long as I can. I don't mind a little shrinkage on the first wash, as it gives the quilt a nice, crinkley look.

i tend to not wash my fabric, unless its a red or a batik..

if life gives you melons.....ya could be dyslexic!!

katz

After seeing a beautifully quilted quilt come in to Project Linus made from a high end fabric, I became convinced that pre-washing is the only insurance against problems. The fabric had a bright red and dark blue print on a white background. The dark colors had bled onto the white, and it looked terrible.

I prewash due to possible shrinkage and bleeding.

I prewash and then apply lots and lots of starch which brings back the easy to handle.

Cheers, K

Actually I think it all has to do with which type of batting you intend to use. If you're going to use cotton batting, then it will all shrink together and that's fine, but if you are using any type of non shrinking batting and cotton fabric for the top and bottom, then the cotton fabric will shrink and the batting won't, and I think that would not look very good. You can always take care of bleeding by using the Shout Color Catcher which works just great. I'm no expert believe me, but this is what I reasoned out in my poor little senior brain. Maybe I'm all wet!!!!!