Pre washing no longer advised?

[MartinaG]

This is a "it depends" answer. I am not allergic to any of the chemicals in the fabric. I also shoot for consistency which means that I either wash all of it or I wash none of it.

Batik tends to run so I wash ALL batiks before use.

When the colors of my new fabric are intense (reds, blues, purples, black) I tend to do a color test on a swatch. If it runs - or rubs off - when wet, I wash it. Otherwise, I may well make the quilt as is. I just did one in red-white-black that will get a few color catchers added to the wash - just in case.

Precuts get used as is. I do not want them to distort in the wash. If I have to spend a lot of time pressing and stretching the precut AFTER washing, then what is the point of buying precuts in the first place. I generally give them a good hit with steam.