I checked the board before I did the pre-wash of my new purchases and saw that many thought pre-wash was the way to go. I didn't measure my material before washing. But I did after washing and I was shorted up to 4 inches on one item. Of the four fabrics I purchased I was shorted 1/4-1/2" --1 1/2" -- 3" and 4" I can kind of understand the 1/4-1/2" one... but the others I am having trouble accepting. Thoughts comments?
Thanks

The quality of the fabric makes a difference. The ones that have a higher thread count (tighter weave) seem to shrink less than the lower thread count fabrics. It can vary quite a bit. I prefer to prewash so that if there is any additional shrinkage after the quilt is done, it will hopefully be consistent, rather than alot on one fabric and a little on another.

That's exactly why I pre-wash. Fabrics do not shrink at the same rates.

I think somewhere in the processing fabrics should get a nice hot bath but apparently they don't, so I pre-wash. Sometimes I even find a fabric or two that bleed, too, but it is the fear of uneven shrinking after I've finish making something that keeps me prewashing.

I do buy brand name quilting fabrics, usually on sale but if I need a color I might buy anything I can. I pre-wash!

Jois

I pre-wash everything except for pre-cuts like jelly rolls. I always buy quality jelly rolls like Moda and when making a jelly roll quilt it's all the same fabric so the shrinkage should be the same.

If I am adding other fabric to a jelly roll quilt it is likely from the same collection so I don't wash it either.

Otherwise, everything else gets washed, ironed and starched. I recently got a FQ set from Connecting Threads and I washed them. I was BARELY able to get two 8 1/2" (total of 17 inches) blocks across some of the the 18x22 pieces.

Four inches does seem a little excessive. I think you may have had a short piece to start with.

I thought the 4" was excessive. I did clip the corners of the material before pre washing to keep the unraveling to a minimum - which there weren't many loose threads out of the washer or dryer.
Thanks for the inputs and info.

That is one good argument for always getting more than the pattern calls for. I don't measure after I wash.

Was the one piece flannel by chance? It will shrink more so than quilting cotton...

No it was cotton and one of the more expensive pieces per yard, I purchased.

I just prewashed a bunch of jean material and all the pieces shrunk 4". I watched her cut the material, and she did cut it correctly.