Don't be afraid to use pastels! I use the Shout Color Catchers when I pre-wash fabric and when the quilts are done. I have not had any bleeding and I use a wide range of colors. The French Braid I posted earlier is shades of pastel yellow to cranberry. Just washed it this morning and it came out great. I also am working on one with white/black/orange/red/yellow for my son. I washed all the fabric together with the Color Catcher and not a single problem!
Color catchers are GREAT, and as a quilter, I use them often. However, this is a baby quilt, with expected frequent washings. The new parents, IMHO, may not have color catchers on hand, nor would they want to have to purchase same to be used every time they had to wash a baby quilt. I use hand-dyed fabrics a lot for my own quilts, and for those that will go to other adults where there will be infrequent laundering, and I always advise them of the need to use those. I just would not use those for a baby quilt...........
