I would never wash a top alone. After the quilt is finished, I wash it. The seams stay in place because the quilt is quilted, either by machine or by hand, keeping the seams in tact. I only had a problem once and it was because I didn't watch my sewing when I did a QAYG sashing and my stitching ran off the material, thus not catching it all. I fabric glued it in place and kept the quilt for myself. :-) The glued part isn't showing but "I" know it's there. lol