I've been in a rush to finish a baby quilt for April 10th. (I just started in on March 26th)

It's done, all I have to do now is make the binding and put it on.

It just hit me 10 minutes ago while reading the forum.

I FORGOT TO WASH THE TOP BEFORE I STARTED TO QUILT IT!

It has a lot of purple in it (Mothers request)... very bright... and since I used fat quarters, I didn't wash them before I started. I also have white in it. I did a rail fence pattern with 2 purples and one white. (The white has been washed before.)

I'm kicking myself around the block about now.

Wish me luck that it doesn't bleed when I wash it when it's all done.

Thanks for letting me vent. This whole quilting process is a never ending learning experience for me. Another lesson learned with this one. Never quilt in a rush!!!

Use a few Color Catchers in the wash. They really do pick up extra dye in the wash to keep it from bleeding into your project. Good luck! :D

Use a color catcher sheet in the wash. Shout makes them and you can find them in fabric stores or the grocery store in the laundry soap section.:)

We were typing at the same time.:)

throw those color catchers in and keep a bleach pen handy. unless the purple is a batik I think that you are probably safe from bleeding too much.

Throw some Color Catchers in the washer with the quilt. They should trap any dye that runs from the darker colors.

Good luck, stop kicking yourself.

A question about color catchers: Do you have to use them repeatedly, for subsequent washings? Have many times do you have to wash with color catchers before being comfortable sending the gift?

It just hit me 10 minutes ago while reading the forum.

I FORGOT TO WASH THE TOP BEFORE I STARTED TO QUILT IT!

Wish me luck that it doesn't bleed when I wash it when it's all done.

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IMO you should NEVER wash an unquilted top....you will have a thready mess on your hands!!!!! I have been a quilter for the better part of 40 years and never pre-wash my fabrics....knock on wood, I've never had a bleeder washing in cold water. I cut, piece, quilt, bind and THEN wash and dry..

jodi in leavenworth

Do you have any scraps that you can test , to see if it is indeed a bleeder?

Shout's color catcher comes like dryer sheets and you discard them after you use them. I usually use one when washing about 5-8 yards of fabric or a lap quilt.

I just picked up a color cather by Carbone and it's like a wash cloth that you use again and again. May in Jersey