Washing Batiks
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Somewhere inTexas
Posts: 968
Washing Batiks
I was under the impression that you prewash batiks because they bleed. I have just received 10 batik fat quarters as a gift (from JoAnns) that states "do not prewash". So, do I not prewash the other fabric?
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chula Vista CA
Posts: 7,401
Most people do not prewash pre-cut batiks. I do, because the chemicals on the fabric eats up my fingers. I either put them in a small mesh bag and throw it in the washing machine with other items or I put them in a salad spinner with some soap. Not sure why they would tell you not to wash them.
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,140
I have bought FQ packs of batiks from JAF & I washed them without issue. I toss them in a sink with cold water & a Tbsp of Tide Free & swirl around a bit with my hands, then let soak with a Color Catcher for 20 minutes. Then, I rinse with clear, cool water before tossing in the dryer on low for 20 minutes, assuming they aren't still bleeding dye. I lay them on a rack to finish air drying before starching & pressing.
Like QuiltingCandy, I'm allergic to the sizing chemicals so I pre-wash everything no matter how small.
Like QuiltingCandy, I'm allergic to the sizing chemicals so I pre-wash everything no matter how small.
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 5,965
That is strange, if it said not to prewash, I think I would prewash. Maybe they shrink to smaller than FQ size. I know some batiks are of a looser weave than others. You may want to test one just so see what it does. I don't prewash batiks unless it's an intense color like navy, red or forest green.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,029
I guess they are concerned about shrinkage, but I would want them all to be shrunk so they wouldn't shrink later in uneven amounts (yes, your quilting might not allow as much, but I've seen seams tear away before).
I wash everything FQ and larger. If it shrinks a bit, I try to have plenty of material (so I generally buy a little more than I need).
Plus with Batiks I am always concerned about colors running....
I wash everything FQ and larger. If it shrinks a bit, I try to have plenty of material (so I generally buy a little more than I need).
Plus with Batiks I am always concerned about colors running....
#9
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Farmington Hills, Michigan
Posts: 266
Same here. The very first quilt that I made, I used two batik layer cakes and pre-washed all of it in the washer, because I also have some chemical sensitivities. I'm pretty sure they shrunk a bit and probably bled a bit too, but I didn't know about color catchers at the time.
But they were such a tight weave that I had next to no raveling with them, and I squared them all up to 9 1/2" so the shrinkage wasn't a problem for me.
I wouldn't hesitate to pre-wash those fat quarters.
Last edited by SherylM; 10-09-2016 at 08:46 AM.
#10
I don't prewash anything now. I take a snip of the fabric and wet it good with hot water and lay it on a white paper towel. If it bleeds, then I wash it. I just made two batik quilts for grandsons and I send Color Catchers with them. They washed great.
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