bearisgray

There is a sense of adventure in using unwashed fabrics -

The shrinkage may be none or a lot.

The bleeding may be none or a lot.

The chemicals may be none or a lot.

One can speculate about where the fabric has been and who has handled it before it gets to one's home.

Why take away the suspense of what may - or may not - happen to the item after it is washed?

juliasb

I only pre-wash when required. I never thought of the suspense and the journey my fabrics took before they got to me.

thepolyparrot

I usually pre-wash only stinky fabrics or woven fabrics that will be used for apparel where shrinkage would make the item unusable.

But modern quilters and precision quilters sometimes need to pre-wash their fabrics to get the smooth effect they want.

There's still plenty of suspense in quilting! 😄

Macybaby

I don't like surprises - and I really don't like suspense (hate scary movies). So that is probably why I'm happy washing fabric before using it.

Onebyone

I usually don't prewash but I steam and iron the fabric in every direction before cutting.

eparys

I come from an era that I was required as a kid to iron sheets, pillow cases, table clothes, napkins, all the clothes ..... etc. So,I now dislike ironing more than I dislike excitement and adventure. BUT, that being said I do test (especially reds) for color fastness and occasionally do prewash questionable fabric.

Quilty56

I use something like the Shout Color Catcher Dye-Trapping Sheets when washing a quilt to prevent the colors from running, especially on a new one the first few times.

bearisgray

I have had at least one bleeder from every color family - blue, orange, turquoise, red, green, black, yellow, purple - - -
and from "good" brands.

I "assume" that whoever gets a quilt from me will not know about color catchers or "the proper way" to wash a quilt.

I do fear burns, rips, and bleach, though.

Stitchnripper

I am not a prewasher. Also not a starcher. I do test suspect fabrics by clipping off a piece and putting it in hot water, etc. I have no sensitivities to chemicals/dyes, etc that I am aware of and I've never had a problem. Fabric hasn't made me sick, have a rash, sneeze, etc. I do put a color catcher into the washer.

Watson

I like a flat look in my quilts, so always pre-wash.
I've also had a very nasty surprise when dye ran, so wash with colour catchers so I can see how the fabric is reacting to water.

Watson