I was just given an assortment of red prints to incorporate into a quilt. The squares have already been cut BUT the fabric was not washed. I am pretty sure it will bleed when washed. Have you had any experience washing cut pieces. Since they are the size required for the pattern, if the edges fray, I would have to recut all blocks and reduce the size of the pattern. Any suggestions how to wash these blocks (5 1/2" each) without distorting the size.

I had this problem before. I put the squares into a mesh lingerie laundry bag, washed with my reg. soap, clorox 2, and on delicate cycle. Dry on delicate also.

You could also put into the bag and hand wash in a sink or tub and rinse. Lay flat to dry on towels.

i would just run some luke warm water in the sink, let them set. leave them alone. replace the water a few times until it runs clear.take them out,and set them out a towl, blott them dry,then perss the sry the rest of the way maybe,don't iron..press. good luck!

I would try washing one little piece. Maybe the red won't bleed! Many modern reds are colorfast.

I'd have to wash...but I'd do it by hand. They're not dirty, you're just insuring against bleeding and shrinkage before you use them so be gentle. Even if washing changed their size I'd much rather have to cut them to a smaller size and be able to use them in another project safely than risk using them unwashed and have them ruin my current project. Even some of the "great" fabrics these days are not as safe as one might think and reds (and it's relatives) are notorious. Whatever you decide to do, I'm wishin' you the best of luck!

i would boil them with a tiny drop of retayne or whatever is your favorite dye catcher. the hot water will shrink them down and the dye catcher will (probably) stop the bleed.

I would wash one of them just to see what you are going to have to deal with. If you place one block in hot water and get very little bleeding, I would hand wash the rest. If the block keeps bleeding a lot, I would be tempted to toss them....

oops double post....

Hand washing may be your best bet.

Thanks to all of you. I'll try soaking them first and see if the fabric bleeds. Wish me luck!