Lesson Learned -
 

Why I soak ONLY like colors together and wash my fabrics before cutting.

The red was LQS fabric, by the way.

I did not follow my usual routine - much to my regret.

This was from several years ago - before I had ever heard of Retayne, Sythropol, and/or color catchers.

If it isn't sewn into anything , you can cut it into smaller pieces and use in a scrappy quilt.

Several washings with Synthrapol will probably remove all the bleeds.

Isn't it wonderful that human beings are intelligent enough to learn from their mistakes...even without being denied a food reward I mean?! :)

In 40 some-odd years of working with fabrics, I have had every color imaginable run, bleed, loose dye or otherwise 'spew their essence' when in contact with liquids. Yes, even yellows and creams. I learned early on to pre-wash everything and I keep washing until it stops 'spewing'. If it refuses, it gets delegated to the non-washable bin (throwing it away would just punish me, not the errant fabric). Simple, easy, effective part of my routine.

Very definitely a lesson learned...and never, ever regretted. It's been many years since you skipped that step I bet! http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/s...basic/wink.gif

After a very bad experience years ago I have always pre- washed every fabric before using. I have saved myself a lot of headaches.

I pre wash to also wash out any chemicals that might still remain.

Try washing it several times. We had some recently (Moda) red & white my mom washed it with color catchers and it still ran. It went through the dryer and everything, but we washed it about 3 more times and now it looks great

Pre-washing gets my vote. And I also follow your rule of like colors together. I even prewashed Hoffman Bali Pops in the sink. Learned a lesson there - use a bowl. My sink is tan and I had to bleach out the fabric dye. Then I spun out the excess water with a salad spinner and hung on a rack to dry. PRESSED not ironed all 120 strips. But it will be worth it when my King size quilt is done.