color bleeding question
 

Is there a difference between bleeding into other colors of the quilt, or simply having dye be absorbed into a dye catcher? Not very clear, am I? Here's an example--I have some black premium broadcloth from fabric.com. I keep washing it in hot water (in the washing machine), and every time I do, the dye catcher comes out gray. Now I soaked that fabric in hot water with a yellow cotton that I want to combine it with in a quilt. The water looks a bit gray, but the yellow is fine. Do you think it will be OK to combine them in a quilt?
Next time I will buy the kona black, I understand that it doesn't bleed, but I am thinking I can go ahead and use this one in the quilt--I've got a lot of it.

I would still use a color catcher sheet for the first few washes. You never know, better be safe than sorry.

It isn't the bleeding that is greatest problem. It is when th other fabric absorbs it. I would use it. Also, do u expect the finished quilt to be washed in only cold water? If so, see if it still bleeds in cold water...

You might try adding a bit of detergent to the mix, too - and see what happens.

Some fabrics will resist absorbing a dye bleed, whereas others will attract a dye bleed. If the fabric you want to use does not attract the black dye, you are fine using them both together (as long as the graying of the black is okay for you).

I've been saying for years the problem fabric isn't the one that bleeds, the problem fabric is the one that picks the dye up.

This board is amazing! Suddenly I'm looking at things completely differently--of course! That's why if you put something red in the wash that bleeds, not everything turns pink, just some items. This answers my question perfectly and changes the entire way I will look at bleeding from now on. Thank you Scissor Queen!!!

Have you tried soaking it in Retayne?? I have been using this and it works great!!!

That's true - as far as it goes! But what if the item is put in with a fabric that does NOT repel the stray dye?

I still prefer my fabrics to keep their color (dye) to themselves!

It still isn't permanent. You have to *do* something to the dye to set it and since modern dyes are chemical dyes unless you have the specific chemical for the specific dye you won't set the dyes in something that picks it up. Keep washing, it'll come out.