This magazine is published by Chitra. Or click on Chitra above and send them an e-mail. Typically there are two reasons why quilters wash cotton fabrics before using them in their quilts. The first is to remove residual dyes and chemicals. The second is to preshrink the fabric, thus avoiding shrinking and distortion in the finished quilt.
Water removes the dyes and chemicals while heat causes shrinkage.
Most shrinkage actually occurs when the fabric is in the dryer or under a hot iron rather than during washing. Because we press as we sew, a hot iron should address any shrinkage concerns. For example, formaldehyde is a chemical used in fabric processing. Warm water washing removes it. Any fabric that you plan to use in a quilt for an infant, child or person sensitive to the substance should be washed.