I know the trend now is to wash fabrics less. I like to wash it first to find out about any distortions which aren't noticeable before washing, to get rid of that "new" smell, to set the color, and to pre-shrink. I've learned from this site to starch the fabric before cutting, which brings it back to the pre-washed stiffness and then some. I like the finished product better.

The only time I do not wash mine is when I use a precut kit or I go to a retreat where the fabric is provided.

I rinse my fabrics in the sink so I can see if they are fading. Then I dry them in the dryer to take care of any shrinkage.

I don't do this if it's for a wall hanging that won't be washed.

I had one navy blue print that was terrible and never stopped bleeding. I won't use if for anything. I also had a black cotton fabric from JoAnn's Fabrics that faded and faded--the water turned black over and over. I had used the same fabric from a different bolt that didn't do this, so I suspect there was a problem in the factory process.

always wash the fabric - few exceptions - stack and wacks, precut pieces.

I starch everything too

No, I just cut and sew, but when it's finished, I always wash it with a color catcher, and so far there has been very little bleeding. My SIL made her first quilt which was black/white and Red. The black and white were Moda squares, the red was off the bolt and I was afraid some of the red would bleed, so we used the color catcher and it did pick up bleeding red, but not on the quilt. I love those.

That is the first thing we learned in quilt class - always wash fabric first!

i always wash my fabric. the only time i didn't isnwhen i used a jelly roll and when i did a BOM last year. i haven't washed the first or finished the last, but when i do, i'll use a color catcher.(thanks to this board)

Yes I do. I try not to take any new fabric, for any project I buy, into my sewing room when I get home. It goes into the laundry. I wash and machine dry, then fold. I have a couple packages of those bright round stickers that I got from Wal-Mart, you know the kind you can put prices on for garage sales. I put a round sticker on the front edge of the folded fabric, then put it on my shelves. About half of my stash has not been washed first, so these round neon stickers tell me instantly whether it has been washed or not. If I want to use a non-washed fabric, well, it is just washed first. I hate to have anyone, friend or customer, have bleeding or shrinking of anything I make.

I washed and dried my fabric for the winter swap. Clipped the corners that I read in one of the topics and no fraying or tangled messes

I would get the unwashed mixed up with the washed, if I didn't rinse all the fabric I buy. :wink: