When I do a rag quilt I usually sew twice over the seam at 1/2 and just beside each other just in case I nick the seam when clipping it. I have found it takes 2 washings... The first one to get out most of it.. and the second one to get the rest off... I usually do 2 washing in a row and after it has agitated a while I open the machine and try and scoop out the fibers with a colander, that saves some of it from the drain. I take it outside and shake it as best I can before I put it in the dryer.