I do not wash my fabric anymore. I do as the experts do: take a scrap and lay it on a white paper towel, then wet the fabric completely. If it bleeds, then I have a choice to either take it out or wash it. So far, only a few have bled for me. I have made a Turning Twenty Quilt and it is breathtaking, I can't remember which book it is: she has like 9 books out there. The first book/pattern I have not made and I agree, it's really simple. I have seen some that were quite pretty, I think it depends on your fabric choices.