Shout's Color Catcher is usually found on the top shelf at the grocery store where washing items are located.It really gives you a clue if it catches color. I wash with a small bit of cheer for dark colors, delicate cycle, cool water. Just did the process on a red and was pleased to find the CC a tad pink and the material not much changed in feel. If there was a greater problem I would use white vinegar and salt in the water as it gets washed again.

Shout's Color Catcher is usually found on the top shelf at the grocery store where washing items are located.It really gives you a clue if it catches color. I wash with a small bit of cheer for dark colors, delicate cycle, cool water. Just did the process on a red and was pleased to find the CC a tad pink and the material not much changed in feel. If there was a greater problem I would use white vinegar and salt in the water as it gets washed again.

I prewash for quilts but if I have fabric that I purchased for a wall hanging I do not prewash.

I always do. My mother said she could never work in a fabric store because of all the fumes coming off the fabric from whatever they use in the printing process. I don't trust any manufacturer to have clean fabric. I wash whites and creams, too. You don't know where it has been or who has handled it. Besides, I don't like any surprises at the end. And I use color catchers in the wash of "raw" fabrics and Retayne. I always washed material for garment sewing, too. If you notice, some clothing says to wash before wearing.

I've never worked with batiks...mainly because I've never found any that I'm just so crazy about that I just have to have it ;). But from what I understand, the process of dying batiks is much different than dying regular cotton. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that might be a reason batiks are more susceptible to bleeding.

I don't prewash. Never have and don't think I ever will.

Ihave never washed my fabric. I really don't like the fabric once it is washed. It loses it's newness. Maybe it's just me but that is how I feel.

never bother too eager to get started...too lazy to iron also!

I always pre-wash first. I don't want any unexpected problems arise when I wash the quilt for the first time.

Every new project I question why I should prewash, but I always end up prewashing fabric. I just like the fact that I can be positive that the fabric will not shrink or the colors will not run. It really is a personal decision.