I wash each color separately in warm water using Retayne (available in most fabric stores)...I use 1 tsp per yard of fabric. It will help set the dye used in the manufacturing process. I also throw in a color catcher so that I can tell if I need to send the fabric through a second wash. I then set the rinse cycle using cold water. I then dry the fabric in the dryer, pulling it out before it is completely dry so that pressing is easier. I also starch at this point.
After a quilt has been made, I wash it using Synthrapol so that any excess dyes possibly remaining will be suspended in the rinse water and will not be set into the fabric anywhere on the quilt. Follow the directions on the bottle for optimal results. I would much rather do the first wash myself rather than the recipient washing for the first time to avoid any dye mishaps.
Hope this helped!