I SOAK EACH FABRIC INDIVIDUALLY. A FRIEND DESCRIBES THIS PROCESS AS "MARINATING" THE FABRIC. AT TIMES, I HAVE SEVERAL BOWLS OF 1 YARD OR LESS FABRIC SOAKING ON MY KITCHEN BAR!!!!!!!!!!!!! ANYTHING OVER A YARD, I USE MY LARGE LAUNDRY ROOM SINK.
I STILL GET CRINKLES!!!!!!!!!!!
I CANNOT CONCEIVE OF NOT TREATING MY FABRIC BEFORE I USE IT. NONE OF MY QUILTS HAVE EVER SHRUNK EVEN WHEN THEY WERE WASHED IN HOT WATER (ALLERGIES) NOR HAVE ANY OF MY QUILTS EVER BEEN RUINED BECAUSE THE DYES RAN.
I BELIEVE IN THE OLD SAYING "ANYTHING WORTH DOING IS WORTH DOING WELL." SO I WILL CONTINUE WITH MY METHOD AS IT DEFINITELY WORKS FOR ME.