At a recent lecture, it was suggested that you wash your "beauties" with clear ivory dishwashing liquid. It will give off dye but does not stain the piece (peace)!!!!! Good luck!

Tartan, that is what I use and it works great. Have had no problems with bleeding. For the bleeding try equal parts of Biz, dishwasher detergent, and chlorox II. Dissolve these in warm water, let the water cool, and put your quilt in it and let it remain in there until the stains disappear. This solution works great on old linens that have old stains on them. A lady who sells old linens at the giant flea market in Canton, TX gives this recipe to all her customers.

Wow, I am a newbie here too and this discussion has been wonderful. I knew red bleeds and so I have always washed my red materials (dark blues too) But I never thought about the embroidery thread. Great wake up call. I love all the suggestions and have written them done so that when I experience this problem (which I am sure will happen someday) I will know what to do. Of course if I misplace the paper, I can always come back here and ask for help.

Try soaking it with a Shot color catcher. I've had red clothes run in the wash, and when I've re-washed them, the errant dye DID come out. Worth a shot!

My DM bought an old red and white pieced quilt that was so funky she washed it. After a while she became fond of her red and pink pieced quilt.:o

Were you using machine embroidery thread or embroidery floss? I have had a problem with one color of red Robison Anton rayon machine embroidery thread when I soaked a linen dinner napkin. If I just machine wash and dry, no problem. Try washing on delicate with a color catcher.

I just love this board! So many great ladies with so many helpful tips. Glad to know as I will be embroidering on two Christmas tree skirts in the near future.

Oxiclean has caused colors to bleed on some of my quilts. Plain detergent is better. Color catcher is a good idea also. I hear vinegar treatment of the floss is a good idea. I hand wash the redwork blocks with dishwashing detergent, very little of it. It seems to be okay. Nobody wants fading, not ever.

use the shout color catcher and you won't have that problem

Success!!!!! I washed the piece in 3 cups warm water, 1 tsp of Carbona and 99 percent of the stain came out!! Thanks for all the suggestions. Thanks again Karen