Advice before I roll the dice...
04-20-2012, 05:14 AM
#72
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: N. Atlanta, GA
Posts: 805
I thank ALL of you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to weigh in on this. I think Jacquie said it best (above) and so I'm off to start the process.....
04-20-2012, 05:57 AM
#73
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 527
Typically I do not prewash, however, if I have a black, red or something very intense in color I will prewash those fabrics. I use color catchers in the wash when I wash the quilt after it's been quilted. Hope this helps. Everyone has their way and I hope you find the right way for you!
04-20-2012, 01:53 PM
#75
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 148
I've been quilting for over 25 years and until about 2 years ago always pre-washed my fabrics. Then I just stopped doing it...maybe too much trouble. And I saw a blog where Alex Anderson said she didn't pre-wash hers.
So, I've gone and invested the equivalent of a second mortgage in many yards of Kaffee Fassett fabric to make up some of his quilts. Here's the question-
Have any of you who have used Kaffee's fabrics ever had them bleed? The colors are so intense and saturated that I wonder but still finding that inside me I actually loathed all that pre-washing, drying and folding.
And you are free to call me a dimwit for even asking, but I really want to know. And, not only about Kaffee's fabrics bleeding but who out there isn't pre-washing? Thanks for the input!
So, I've gone and invested the equivalent of a second mortgage in many yards of Kaffee Fassett fabric to make up some of his quilts. Here's the question-
Have any of you who have used Kaffee's fabrics ever had them bleed? The colors are so intense and saturated that I wonder but still finding that inside me I actually loathed all that pre-washing, drying and folding.
And you are free to call me a dimwit for even asking, but I really want to know. And, not only about Kaffee's fabrics bleeding but who out there isn't pre-washing? Thanks for the input!
I did see a "Simply Quilts" show in which Alex Anderson said that she had a fabric bleed and ruin a quilt that she
had done - she had to use Synthrapol over and over to get the red out...
I soak all my fabrics in hot water and a tsp of Retayne per yard. I have never had a problem with bleeding, but
I do find the washing, drying and folding to be tedious...
But Kafee's fabrics are so intense that I would be reluctant to put in a lot of work and then have them bleed.
The trick mentioned by another responder works, but I have always heard it as putting a small amount of Retayne
on a white scrap and then ironing it with the fabric in question. If the white scrap is no longer white, you again have
your answer.
04-20-2012, 04:54 PM
#76
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wilmington, NC
Posts: 41
I also pre-wash with Retayne, I feel it's an extra bit of 'insurance' against a bleed. I do not wash fabrics that I'm looking to get the drawn up crinkly look of a vintage quilt as in muslin and 1930s repros but I do put the Retayne in the wash when I finally do wash the whole thing. I am careful not to use vibrant reds in these quilts as I've seen too many reds bleed all over.
I find it interesting so many antique quilts never seem to show signs of bleeding, but then I've only seen examples in museums that were made as 'show' quilts, not utilitarian, and may never have been intended to be washed.
I find it interesting so many antique quilts never seem to show signs of bleeding, but then I've only seen examples in museums that were made as 'show' quilts, not utilitarian, and may never have been intended to be washed.
04-20-2012, 06:13 PM
#77
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Fingerlakes area, NYS
Posts: 225
Pre-washing fabrics is a tedious job, I agree but. . . you say that the colors are over saturated and are worried that they will bleed. If you have invested a great deal of money (second mortgage kind of money) in this fabric and you will be making what I am sure will be absolutely beautiful quilts, why would you take the risk of the fabrics bleeding and ruining your quilt? JMHO!
04-20-2012, 06:15 PM
#78
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Fingerlakes area, NYS
Posts: 225
It's not always red that bleeds. You can see my comment on pg 8 regarding my experience with a red and a blue.
04-20-2012, 08:14 PM
#80
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,811
To wash or not
Pre-washing fabrics is a tedious job, I agree but. . . you say that the colors are over saturated and are worried that they will bleed. If you have invested a great deal of money (second mortgage kind of money) in this fabric and you will be making what I am sure will be absolutely beautiful quilts, why would you take the risk of the fabrics bleeding and ruining your quilt? JMHO!
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