Originally Posted by Kellie G
Shout makes a sheet product that traps the dye of running fabric. I always use this product when I wash a quilt for the first time. If it has lots of color I may use up to 3 sheets. It sells in the washer detergent aisle, at my Walmart for $3.43 for 24 sheets. You just throw them in the washer with your quilt and a mild detergent. If I don't wash a quilt before I give it as a gift I always include a couple of these sheets with instructions for the first time wash.
I have some of those stashed in the box with the quilt top, binding, and backing. I know there's at least 1 "bleeder" in that quilt because I soaked scraps of all the colors in some cool water and the water turned rust colored, although I did not see any damage to the other colors that I soaked along with it. It may be only the dark rust that runs; regardless, I'm hoping the color catcher sheets work. I'm hoping to find a clever way to wash just the top before I ever sandwich & quilt it; if it's going to bleed, I want it to be BEFORE I quilt it. The backing looks like a bleeder, too, so I have to wash it by itself with SHOUT sheets.