pre-washing fabrics

One thing I've learned is that there are heavy duty chemicals in new fabric that you DON'T want to be around for too long. It's why I wouldn't work many hours in a poorly ventilated fabric store/LQS. Some of my quilting buddies accompanied me on our own little quilt shop hop last summer and in one of the stores, every single one of us began to exhibit varying degrees of allergic reactions - itchy eyes, sniffles, scratchy throats. We are exposed to enough chems out in the world, why exacerbate it?

MM

I always wash all new fabric! It smells better, shrinks to whatever it is going to do, is easier on the hands, and won't bleed and ruin a quilt. (I watch carefully, and only give any fabric two chances.) I find that taking fabric to the laundromat and using the large machines and dryers work very well with large pieces. Also, if I go during a weekday when it is not crowded, I can stretch out those very large pieces on those wonderful long tables and get them all folded nicely. (And very nicely folded fabric doesn't seem to need ironing!) And I NEVER purchase any fabric smaller than a fat quarter.

Oh, Taria, I just went to the web site and learned that the gals are now in Hawaii. If you go there today, you will see a gorgeous photo of a turtle on a black sand beach. Wish I was there! Pat in chilly Virginia PS: The pre wash info was good too. (To keep in topic!)