Actually I think it all has to do with which type of batting you intend to use. If you're going to use cotton batting, then it will all shrink together and that's fine, but if you are using any type of non shrinking batting and cotton fabric for the top and bottom, then the cotton fabric will shrink and the batting won't, and I think that would not look very good. You can always take care of bleeding by using the Shout Color Catcher which works just great. I'm no expert believe me, but this is what I reasoned out in my poor little senior brain. Maybe I'm all wet!!!!!