Originally Posted by LindaM

With these fabrics, I'd wash the batik with all the reds, and the dark stripes and the other dark fabric. Everything else except the cream in another load, and the cream separately.

Vinegar will help set the colours, and a Shout Colour Catcher is another great product - throw it in the wash, it will gather up extra dye.

Cutting a corner off an edge will also help keep fraying in check.


Thank you so much for the advice. I am going to make Swirly Girls "Brickworks". I will use the the batik for the small squares and the others as the rectangles. Haven't decided the border yet. May keep the black stripe for that? My son, 14 yrs, chose the fabric with a little guidance from the shop ladies ;) I hope to have enough finished to surprise him Friday night when they return from camp.
I usually put in a bit of detergent, about half what I would put in a normal load - the fabric isn't dirty, but might be dusty from its journey to you. No fabric softener. When the fabric is damp-dry, press and starch. Then you're ready to cut!

LOVE the batik - your fabrics are gorgeous - what pattern are you making?