fourthtry

How do you set colors in red fabric? I have googled this question and have so many responses that I'm confused.
Do you use vinegar, salt and water method or use a prewash like Synthrapol purchased at quilt stores. There are also the Color Catchers by Shout. What have you found to be best?

ManiacQuilter2

Most of the time, I test the fabric. Learn this trick from Harriet Hargrave. Wash it in hot water along with tiny amount of your normal laundry soap and put it in a small container and shake it on and off for at least 5 minutes. I then rinse it and put it on a white paper towel. if it doesn't bleed, I don't worry. If it bleeds I will wash the fabric. I use color catchers in every load of laundry I do. Best invention since sliced bread !!

Tartan

You use Retayne in fabric before using it. After it is in a quilt, you use Synthrapol to suspend any loose dyes in the water and not on the quilt. Colour catcher pick up any fabric dye in the water.

ckcowl

vinegar no longer sets the dyes used commercially- the chemicals have changed- so unless it is fabric from the 70's or before that method will accomplish nothing. first do a bleed test---wet the fabric- rub it with a white piece of fabric or paper towel & see if it's a 'bleeder' or not. if it is, prewash it with detergent- and check it again- you can add retayne to the water- but synthropol is a totally different 'animal' synthropol suspends the fugitive dyes in the water- so if you had other fabrics in with the red and the red ran the dye would stay in the water- not get on the other fabrics- it does nothing to set dye. but often it is just recommended to keep washing the fabric until it does not bleed any more. some never stop- and then are generally not used in a washable item- some never bleed- some stop with one wash- just test & go from there.

Sailorwoman

Retayne is excellent stuff. I just used it on 3 pieces of red flannel and it doesn't "bleed". It is easy to use and doesn't need much product.

Doggramma

Retayne works great. Then color catchers after the quilt is done.

Nammie to 7

I used synthrapol and color catchers when I washed my red fabric. Ended up washing it 4 times. When I wash the quilt the first time I will also use color catchers.

bearisgray

Some reds are extremely colorfast.

If ANY fabric I have acquired turns out to be a bleeder, I discard it. I do not want anyone else plagued by a bad piece of fabric.

fred singer

great useful information

bearisgray

Acttually, if the bleeding fabric has been reccently purchased and I have the receipt, I will try to return it to the seller because I consider it to be defective - unless there was a warning on the end of the bolt - as there was on some madras plaids way back when.