Originally Posted by farmquilter
About washing/not washing the fabric pieces, if you steam press them with a hot iron it gives you both parts of washing/drying in the machine. I found that out a long time ago from a friend. The steam is instead of the washing part and the heat instead of the dryer part. It will set colors and help control shrinkage.
Found this out when I had a bunch of squares that were new to me and it was a great solution.
This is what I do, after washing my first bom that I ordered. It raveled so bad. Now my small pieces of fabric I steam iron on an old towel or cloth to catch color.
I would test because red can run and the Christmas fabric is not always the best. If it runs on your towel wash in sink in warm/hot water.
I also had a blue (dark) bleed on my white block in a finished quilt. I was in a hurry and did not wash. The tears I cried over that quilt although I finally got it all out.