I just purchased a large stash of Batiks and hand dyed fabric, do I wash ? Also, how do I keep them from unraveling and loosing gobs of the fabric if I wash them? Things are so expensive these days I want all my paid for fabric.

You guys always have the answers. Love this forum.

Thanks,
Cyndee

Use pinking shears on the cut ends, or serge the ends, or cut the corners off of the ends.

I would prewash and use some Retayne, thes tend to bleed a lot. :D:D:D

cold water, gentle cycle, a big bath towel in the dryer with the fabric until damp dry, then iron. These work best for me. I never could get the "cutting the corners" idea to work for me...still a lot of loose threads.

Thank you quilters. I think the pink and the dye setting solution should ease my concerns. As always you guys are the best.

Thanks Again,
Cyndee :thumbup:

I've never had any batik ravel at all...ever. Bleed, yes, ravel, no. i think maybe the weave is too tight?

wow, thanks for all of the comments, I learned something about Batiks

Same here

Maybe I live in the dark ages, but I hand wash all my fabrics in one side of the kitchen sink, a few pieces at a time (depending on the yardage), rinse thoroughly until no color remains in the water in the other side, then squeeze as much out as my hands can stand, then lay out on old thick beach towels (several layers of fabric at a time), then roll up and squish it all together to absorb most of the excess moisture, then I take out, fold up, and take to sewing room to spend hours ironing the fabric (I procrastinate and wait until I have a bunch of fabric to wash!). I have very little trouble with the edges unravelling when I do the process this way.

You are not alone, I do the same thing! I hate putting my fabric in the washing machine! ;-)

If I have yardage I clip the corners and pop it into the machine with some color catchers. I have a great front loader that is very gentle on my fabrics. Small pieces I hand wash in the sink.