I have sewn several beautiful quilts with bright colors only to have the colors fade or lose their brightness after washing in cold water with woolite. I prewash the cotton fabrics before sewing them into quilts. They seem to have their brightness until I gentle wash them after sewn together. Could the batting make the difference? Or is it just the fabrics themselves? Got a recommendation as to name brand or other suggestions?

Woolite could be a problem. I'm not sure how it's made nowadays; I think there are quite a few chemicals in it. You might want to switch to Orvus. I think the component chemicals of your water can make a difference too.

I also use Orvus.

My sil told me to wash in cold water? I don't know if there is a difference.

I noticed all my stuff fading. I thought it was my imagination and I bought a second piece of something I already had and compared it before I washed the second piece. There was a noticeable difference in brightness until I washed it. Then it was dull like the first piece. It is frustrating to me.

Where can you buy Orvus?

Farm stores carry it (I believe it's horse shampoo!). I have seen it in Fleet Farm. It is much less expensive purchased that way. Otherwise many quilt shops carry it. Amazon has it, but shipping adds on to the cost:
http://www.amazon.com/Quilters-Rule-...dp/B000BQLJIU/