qbtexas

OK...I have done a search and read several threads about pre-washing, Retayne, and Synthrapol....But what about if the bleeding already happened? Ugh. Blue onto a white-on-white.

Back story: this was a block exchange I participated in 16 years ago. May never do one again...can't be sure about fabric quality, sewing quality, and certainly not block size. Quilt is put together, quilted by LAQ, bound, and I washed it....ugh. Bleeding on one block from blue to white.

Mind you, I am not a die-hard pre-washer. But I buy good quality fabric. But not sure if I could have pre-washed the pieced blocks I received in the exchange.

Ugh. Any ideas to get the blue out? It was to be a donation quilt for wounded warriors or soldier's families.

mike'sgirl

I will be watching this thread for answers because this has happened to me as well. I am so sorry about your quilt and I hope that you can get the bleed out. Gina

PurplePassion

Did you already dry it? I hope not. I use color catchers when I wash new quilts and clothes. There are a couple of brands out there.

katier825

I just did one that bled a bit and I had 2 or 3 color catchers in it. It was a gift, so I hoped I could get it out. I rewashed it with a few more color catchers and it came out. I know the products you mentioned are recommended, but I don't know which to use when.

By the way, even good fabric bleeds...which is one reason I pre-wash whenever I can.

Dolphyngyrl

If you didn't dry it use Synthrapol and color catchers. If is is already dried the dye is probably set

qbtexas

It got dried before I noticed it. Did not use any products other than mild detergent with the first wash, then it was dried, then I washed again. It actually looks worse after the 2nd wash. crud. I didn't put all that work and money (LAQ) into this to throw it away. But I hate to donate it with the bad block. Mind you, just one block out of 50 bled. So any of you who participate in an exchange...wash your fabric and don't pass along problems to someone else!

quiltstringz

I had one fabric that was a red & white so I knew it had to be washed first. Took it out and put it in the dryer before my mom noticed it had bled. We washed it again about 6 times with color catchers before it finally came out, but it did come out.

TinkerQuilts

If they are older fabrics, the bleeding may wash out with a cup of vinegar.

QuiltnNan

is there a way to applique a new block over the original. then, of course, you'd have to duplicate the quilting.

ckcowl

synthropol keeps dyes suspended in the water- so they don't 'bleed' onto other fabrics- so wash with synthropol- color catchers help grab the dye too...but the synthropol should help you to wash away the fugitive dye & keep it from getting on other parts of the quilt- it is important to follow the instructions- and don't dry (or heat-set) the dyes before you have removed all the fugitive dye. you may be able to (pre-treat) the area that is 'stained' by using a product just on that section (like shout or oxyclean) ... color catchers work well too if you can't find synthropol-