2blackcats

And it works great. I use it for all of my black pants.

Sewbeeit2

My nephews crazy quilt had black fabric that keeps fading. Since then I only use Kona black..
try vinegar in the first washing that you do before giving a quilt away...

phatquilts2

thanks for the info - i have been considering trying the MMlrs. the k. blacks (pre-washed) & the follow up washings in utility quilts have worked out well. they have held up & also great to know about the net order availability.

QandE2010

In order to set any color that I think might fade or run, I prewash with Retayne. A little bit goes a long way. You can get it at any LQS.

ManiacQuilter2

Stores such as JAF buy what are called seconds. Before the local Hancock store closed, I would occasionally find a P&B print for sale with an unfamiliar name at the end of the bolt. I knew that Mr. Baer (former owner of P&B, he was the B in the name) did NOT sell to any major fabric stores, ONLY to LQS. So always carefully check the fabric at JAF. The last Kona I bought was a rich brown. When I used it for a border, where the vertical and horizontal borders met, the color was so off, it appeared to be from a totally different dye lot. Nothing I could do. Disappointed but that is part of life.

ghostrider

The reason they looked different is because the grain was running perpendicular to itself where the horizontal and vertical borders met. It's because of the way light reflects off the weave and has nothing to do with the dye. All fabrics do this, it's just more obvious with dark solid broadcloths like Kona Solids.

To prevent it from happening again, make sure the grain runs the same way in the finished quilt...which means cutting the side borders on one grain (lengthwise) and the top and bottom ones on the other (crosswise).

bdiver403

As I grew up we washed red in vinegar and salt to stop bleeding. I would think you could do the same with the black. Once the dye sets, then wash and wear as usual with anything else.

ghostrider

Just to clarify, washing with vinegar and/or salt will do nothing to 'set' the dyes that are now used in the production of cotton quilting fabrics (fiber-reactive dyes). They used to work, long ago, on acid dyes, but acid dyes are no longer used on cotton fabrics. Retayne will set fiber-reactive dyes (for use on uncut fabrics) and Synthrapol will suspend loose dyes (for use on cut and sewn fabrics), salt and vinegar will do neither.

ube quilting

Your in Indiana. Are there any amish quilt shops near you. Ask them what they like to use.

I use Kona Black and have never had a problem.
peace

ube quilting

This is perfect advice as is your info about vinegar and salt. Also Ghostrider, I actually used to dream I could fly when I was a kid but I could only fly around the block 'cause I wasn't allowed to cross the street. HA!
peace