caspharm

I don't prewash (except flannel) and use Best Press only if the folds and wrinkles are bad. However, that said as pinkberrykay said try both methods and see what you like. I use Colorcatchers when I wash any of my quilts.

Schnookie

I do per-wash to get rid of any chemicals in the fabric, this is the time you would want your fabric to run or bleed loss dyes, not when you have all ready done the work in sewing a quilt of any size! If you chose not to wash you could always test the fabric first with a wet cotton swab, but then it would get rid of the chemicals in it. I use spray sizing just because I like all that is does for me as stated in others posts. I also think that fabric doesn't always shrink the same, this way the shrinking is done with and your quilt if washed ever won't go wonky! P.S. there are no dumb questions!!

Gabrielle's Mimi

Try using Mary Ellen's Best Press. It's wonderful, comes in many scents plus unscented. I keep the small size in my suitcase (inside a plastic bag) for pressing my linen travel clothes. Works great!

polarmj

See there is proof that there are no dumb questions, I've been quilting for 5 yrs or so and never knew about startching stuff, will have to try it, thanks Bubble

Morag

I've been quilting for a number of years (too many to mention) and have never starched my fabric or pre-washed it. I can say that I have never had any problems so far!!!!
To each his own

EagarBeez

I wash reds and blacks with shout color catchers (found in Walmart or grocery stores) I have found mine near the starch. I bought a bottle of liquid starch and mixed my own with water in a spray bottle. I just sprits my fabric and iron out any wrinkles. The fabric seems to handle better There are no dumb questions, I have asked a slew and still ask. Way to learn. The folks here are great and willing to help. I myself am self taught, no classes, no family members that taught me anything about quilting.

bsktkeeper

"The only dumb question is the one not asked ". Ask away . this board loves to help.

quilting in my60s

It seems like when people first learn to quilt there are lots of different ideas out there. I buy my fabric for wall hanging, table runners and bed quilts from LQS so I don't prewash them as I figure the better quality fabric won't be a problem. Flannel I prewash unless I want to have it shrink to look old. I don't prewash charm packs at all because they are so small but I know people that do. But as you can tell everyone has learned different ways to quilt. I use Magic sizing or Mary Ellen's to stablize the fabric and get any wrinkles out- it really helps to be accurate when cutting.

quiltmom04

Here's why I prewash - because if I spray it either with steam or sizing, it sometime shrinks the piece just enough to be s problem. I find that when I prewash fabrics,this doesn't happen.

margecam52

Only one dumb question...the one you never ask. You will only get answers if you ask...so ask away!

I starch/size because it makes handling the fabric easier, especially those small bias cuts.

Have you ever seen a sample of stitches in a Dealers shop? They are always on a stiffend fabric. Makes the stitches stand out better..no puckers.