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 Setting the Floss Color
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Floss is much more colorfast than it used to be, but some people choose to be
very cautious when using black or dark colors in heirloom quality projects.
Below are a couple of postings about the topic.

From: gillian.cannon@solar.org (Gillian Cannon)...
   I take my blacks and dark reds, purples, etc., and put rubber bands where
   the paper bands are, and shake the skein in a glass of water that I've put
   a quarter of a teaspoon of white vinegar or salt in so I can set the
   colors.  Rinse in clear water after shaking in the mixture until it runs
   clear, then I lay the skein (still in the rubber band wrapping) on top of a
   thick terry towel, then roll and press to remove the extra water.  I then
   just lay it on a surface until it dries.  It's really easy and eliminates a
   lot of problems.

From: motto@cbnewsf.cb.att.com (mary.rita.otto)...
   ...You want to set the color on the floss before you start the piece.  This
   is only necessary for some of the colors - most will not bleed. But here is
   the procedure.

   Take the floss out of the skein wrappers.  Wet it with cool water.  Lay it
   on a white paper towel to dry.  If it is going to bleed/run that will be
   evident on the paper towel.  If it does show signs of running, then rinse
   it with cool running water until the running stops and the paper towel it
   is set on shows no further signs of color.

   Soak the rinsed floss in 1 QT cool water and 1/4 cup white vinegar. Let it
   soak for about 20 minutes.  Rinse again with cool water and dry on a paper
   towel.

   If you have a finished piece you should exercise caution when first washing
   the piece.  Rinse the piece with clear water and watch for signs of
   running.  If a color does run, continue to rinse the piece in cool running
   water until the bleeding stops and the water runs clear.

   In most cases, it is not necessary to use the vinegar water soak. I
   consulted several expert stitchers and teachers on this, and they all
   admitted that they think the soaking is a waste of time, and just deal with
   the bleeding with the cool water rinse at wash time.  The quality of dyes
   used currently is very good, and colors running is very uncommon.

   I only do a rinse and soak for heirloom quality work using intense red
   colors (like DMC 666).  I've never had a problem with other colors, or a
   serious problem with the red, either.  But that may vary with the quality
   of the local water supply.