Only think I add to that, is that I serge or zigzag the raw edges before washing the fabrics.

I have never pre-washed. Something in me does not feel the need to clean material that is not dirty.

[quote=erstan947]I don't prewash anything. Been successful.

same with me
I rarely wash anything unless I'm using alot of a solid (red and blue, particularly) and there's white cloth in the quilt.

In sewing class, back in the olden days, we learned to pre-wash all fabric. I still do that, although I tend to mostly get it wet with hand-warm water, wring thoroughly, then let the dryer do the shrinking. I once threw a bunch of fat quarters through the wash and they shrank so much I couldn't make the pattern I had bought the kit for. I wouldn't pre-wash any pre-cut fabric again.

If you participate in most swaps, the fabric used in them is to be pre-washed.

I've always washed fabric before quilting, because that's what i was taught, but this new one I'm working on isn't washed so i'll see what i get when it's all done.i'll wash it in cold water and hang to dry. With the natural wonder batting it might just come out the way i want.

its always better to be safe then sorry. Again it depends on the ultimate use of the quilt. If wallhanging and never washed then I don't.
However, I bought 7 coordinating pieces at the local big box store. They had a good coordinated group and the quilt is going to someone I know only casually. I used the pattern used as learning a new technique.....so with this said.
I washed it all and glad i did because there was considerable difference in the quality within the 7 pieces, a couple shrank badely while others didnt. And since there was a lot of bias edges Iam sure I did wash.

So ultimate use and then better to be safe than sorry about the results. If i don't wash then i at least spray and steam press or wet the piece and iron dry.

It really depends. If I buy from my lqs, I don't because I have never had anything that I have purchased from her shrink or bleed. When I buy from other places, I am more leary. But I always prewash flannels as some of them will shrink a lot.

I soak every fabric before using or storing it - to shrink it and remove any excess dye. Better to be safe than sorry! It only takes a short time to do this procedure and a long, long time to repair a ruined quilt. Worse still to have to discard it because the dye ran - which it does with a surprising number of fabrics regardless of price per yard.

If you are going to use the fabric to applique, the fusible web will not stick to unwashed fabric (sizing or something). I learned this the hard way after cutting out a zillion Christmas pillow gifts and the appliques all kept falling off as I was sewing!

Just read your reply, I've been quilting for years and never washed anything, until it was all done. Never had a problem, but am more scared with the bolder colors I am using. You mentioned a color catcher. What exactly is that? I've never heard of it before.