I never wash my fabrics.....that would require taking time from quilting. Besides I love the look and feel of a quilt after it shrinks a bit. When I make a quilt for sale, I wait till after I've washed it to measure it for the label. I've never had one shrink down that much, though, even when I've used 100% cotton. Thank goodness it's now the right size.

This is why I wash all my fabric before it goes in the stash!!

Was the shrinkage due to the batting choice? I preshrink the bamboo/cotton batting I use. Otherwise the batting shrinks too much.

It sure is pretty. BrendaK

I always calculate an extra 4% when I determine size and I always pre-wash. I've lost as much as 5" on a king quilt even afterwards.

The blues and greens and focus fabric were washed at least once, maybe twice and the reds were washed 3 times. After reading the comments, I am sure it was the batting. It was cotton and bought by the yard at Joann's.

After reading the comments I am sure it was the batting. To say the least, it was shocking. But all is well. It's the right size for the bed now. :)

This is very good advice. I'm piecing another king size now and I will make sure I prewash the batting!

I preshrink my batting too. I prefer Warm and Natural so I put it in the washer with hot water and let it soak (do not agitate) until it is all wet and then just spin out the water and put it in the dryer. If it is going to shrink, I want it to shrink before I make the quilt. Cotton batt will shrink some. I also prewash all fabrics, too. I don't want any surprises.

Looks like another quilt claimed by a fur baby! Nice job.