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 guess everyone has their own level of comfort. I work too hard on a quilt top to take that chance. It's just as easy to prewash (with a white terricloth cleaning rag) then do a heavy duty starch and know the fabrics are not going to waste a hundred hours ( I sew slow!) of my time by screwing up the the one next to them.
tim in san jose