I have been quilting for a relatively long time, but just made the most foolish of errors. I haven't ever really worked with reds, or at least reds with light colors, and just made a quilt that I absoutely love, all dark reds and off whites. I washed all the fabric first, then cut, stitched and competely forgot that the reds would most likely continue to bleed when I washed it again. Right now, it's done, as a top, and I am scared to death to quilt it, because I would be even more heartbroken if I did even more work and lost it to bleeding. I have read about Retayne, but everything said that it needs to be done when first washing the fabric...too late for that:-( Any suggestions?

Hi and welcome to the board from Iowa. I do not know the answer to this, but someone will be here soon who will. I am sure it will all work out well in the end.

Hello and welcome from Idaho! I would finish, and wash the quilt with color catchers.

Color Catcher ? Try washing it again with one in the water- if it comes out clean you are fine - actually with all the fabrics I have used lately - red has been the best about maintaining its color- its others that have bleed on me :thumbdown:

That's great to know b/c I love red and have always been hesitant to use it b/c of the bleeding!!
Thanks!

Good luck! Let us know how it works out. Welcome from michigan

Hello from Western Mountain Maryland !! :-D

Wash the finished quilt with Synthrapol...it acts the same way a color catcher does..it suspends errant dye particles and keeps them from settling into your whites/lights. It's worked really well for me! :)

I would probably use it as a wall quilt and not worry about washing it for awhile. Then you can use one of the chemicals or color catchers in the wash when it really needs washing.

Hello and welcome from Kansas