Originally Posted by
Fabric Galore
When I first started quilting in 1980 they used formaldehyde to set the colors in fabric. I could barely stand to be in the quilt shop for any length of time. The only solution is to wash them and then air them. I would put the fat quarters in a sink with Borax and color catchers and let them soak for 15-20 minutes. Rinse them with baking soda and then clear water. That should remove the odor.
Back around 1970, I bought a set of sheets, orange with bright yellow flowers. (Hey, it was the 1970s!) They stunk to high heaven, even after washing several times. I have them in my miscellaneous fabric cabinet, and they still have a faint odor.