I am not the greatest quilter, but I wash all the fabric in warm water (each color separate with a color catcher). And let it shrink.
When it is finished I wash the quilt in warm water with another color catcher. If the color catcher has any color on it I send a box of color catchers with it and washing directions.
I use warm and natural/white batting.
It does shrink to a nice crinkly look.
Anyone else do this?