I need black fabric to use as sashing for two batik quilts. Just got a Keepsake Quilting catalog that lists "Jet Black Bali Fabric" for $8.96/yard and also "Amish Black Fabric" for $6.00/yard.

Since the quilts are batik, I am thinking the Bali fabric would be best; however, I am concerned about fading and dye retention in both blacks. Have noticed that all of my dd's black clothing seems to stain everything else black!

Anyway, just wondering if anyone has purchased either one of these blacks and knows how colorfast they are.

I don't know but if you wash them first with a couple of handfuls of salt in the water it should set the dye.

I haven't used the Bali black but I have to tell you I simply adore the Amish black!!! It is such a deep, dark, saturated black that it literally makes all the other blacks in my stash look grey. I love it and I haven't had a single problem with the dye running. I do wash and dry everything after I get it home so everything I quilt with is prewashed. In fact, I need to buy some more of the Amish black so I can finish a batik stars quilt. If you are looking for an endorsement for the Amish black, it definitely has my backing!!

I was told by an expert that the amount of salt it would take to actually set a dye will damage a wash machine. There are better products out there that won't harm your washing machine. I didn't use anything special with the Amish black and it has never run on me, or faded. I hope this helps.

Wow! That's a great endorsement for the Amish black! I'm leaning towards that now unless someone else knows what the Bali black is like. Thanks!

thanks for this subject on black fabric

I have purchased other fabrics from Keepsake - great quality. I just got 2 yards of solid black from a shop in NY who is a member on the board. Fav Fabrics I think, also got some other fabrics. It's on it's way - snail mail.
Solid black is one color I feel I need to have a couple of yards in my stash at all times as well as white, and rainbow stripe.
They make great borders and binding.

Kona cotton black is also a very deep rich jet black and sells for 3.98 a yard at Hancock's of Paducah. I suspect it's comparable to, if not the same as, Keepsake's Amish black since the only solid black Keepsake sells in the store is Kona.

I just went to the Hancock's of Paducah website. They have a Kona black 44" wide and a Kona black 60" wide, each for $2.49 per half-yard. I wonder if there is a difference between them? The 60" width says it's broadcloth; the 44" width does not.

I have some blue Kona here that I bought from the local LQS, and I'm pretty sure it is broadcloth. The weave is a little different. Will have to go measure it and see if it's 60" wide. (It's been so long, I can't remember.) Nope. Just found it, and it's 44" wide.

Oops: And I went back to the Hancock's website and see where a full yard is $3.98! (when you go to order)

I love the Amish Black. It is a rich deep black. I just bought 12 yards of it a couple weeks ago. I wash it in cold water, (cut it in 6 yd lengths) and I have never had any problem with it.