How to prevent batiks from bleeding
#1
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Join Date: Jun 2011
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How to prevent batiks from bleeding
Finally completed! All batiks, and I think I prewashed them all....
I need to wash this quilt before gifting to my DIL....do you think synthrapol or Retayne will help eliminate any bleeding?
Thanks!
I need to wash this quilt before gifting to my DIL....do you think synthrapol or Retayne will help eliminate any bleeding?
Thanks!
#2
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,556
Have you tested them to see if they're actually going to bleed? In my experience, batiks rarely bleed because of the process they go through to remove the wax resist.
I'd check for bleeders first by dampening a white towel with water, then dabbing the towel on the fabrics you suspect may bleed. If no dye attaches to the towel, you're golden. If you do get dye, I can recommend Vickie Welsh's method of removing any excess. https://www.colorwaysbyvicki.com/upl...edingquilt.pdf
I'd check for bleeders first by dampening a white towel with water, then dabbing the towel on the fabrics you suspect may bleed. If no dye attaches to the towel, you're golden. If you do get dye, I can recommend Vickie Welsh's method of removing any excess. https://www.colorwaysbyvicki.com/upl...edingquilt.pdf
#3
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Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
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I think you will be ok with that range of colors if you prewashed all or most. You still will probably get some cast off, and some of that might be coming from the border so I wouldn't worry too much if color catchers come out a bit grey.
If a color catcher comes out darker than you'd like you might try soaking in a bit of Dawn detergent. Do this in your bathtub, don't add dish soap to a washing machine no matter how tempting... be careful picking up wet quilts. I suggest if you have a laundry basket with nice big holes is to use that sort of like an agitator in your bathtub -- quilt goes in hamper and you can swish it and squish it (get in and stomp on it to get as much soaking liquid out before another round in the washer).
If a color catcher comes out darker than you'd like you might try soaking in a bit of Dawn detergent. Do this in your bathtub, don't add dish soap to a washing machine no matter how tempting... be careful picking up wet quilts. I suggest if you have a laundry basket with nice big holes is to use that sort of like an agitator in your bathtub -- quilt goes in hamper and you can swish it and squish it (get in and stomp on it to get as much soaking liquid out before another round in the washer).
#4
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=get in and stomp on it to get as much soaking liquid out before another round in the washer).
I like the idea of Dawn....will give it a go and cross my fingers, toes and eyes!
Last edited by QuiltnNan; 08-12-2020 at 03:25 AM. Reason: fix quote formatting
#5
I use a great deal of batiks in my quilting and of course they are one of my favorite fabric palettes to work with I can find so many that contrast one another and they look like they naturally are just meant to be in that place in a quilt at that time. I have not experienced any bleeding problems with batiks. If you pre-washed you fabrics you should be fine. I think others here are hitting it right on the nail head. Your quilt is just so beautiful I love the colors makes me want to pull all kinds of blues.
#6
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Join Date: Apr 2019
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The foaming us what you are worried about right?
#9
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Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
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You can be careful with it, and there are things to do to help break down the suds. But you don't want to substitute even amounts if you are out of washing machine soap.