check out the article by Vicki Welch. She did a study and tried all sorts of methods. its worth reading and bookmarking! There is a box on the left side of her site that says "save my bleeding quilt"

http://www.colorwaysbyvicki.com/

Definitely worth reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!

Just think how much easier it is to handle fabrics the way she suggested BEFORE cutting them into little pieces and they are sewn together. (Also known as pre-soaking in hot water with Dawn before cutting.)

I thought it was interesting that she did NOT recommend color-catchers, or Synthropol, for trying to remove a bleed or excess dye.

What I will change in my wash-before-cutting routine - I will add a bit of Dawn Pure to the soaking water and let the pieces soak longer before running them through the washing machine.

I have a lovely blue print by Jenny Beyer for RJR fabrics. It bleeds horribly, I found out when using spray starch on a block. Blue color ran everywhere on the block and ironing cover. Ugh. I bought a lot of it to use for backing too. I washed and let it soak in Synthropol water and then washed again with white cotton fabric added to the wash. The white fabric didn't have any blue on it. If it had any blue on it I'd have tossed the whole yardage. I won't be buying that brand of fabric again. Two washings are two too many. Waste of money and time for what the fabric cost already. If I remembered where I bought it I'd return all of it.

Your post just confirms that a "better name brand" can also have issues - not just "big box store" fabrics.