Batiks....colors running
 

I have a stash of Batiks but have not quilted with them yet. Should I wash them first and if so how. I'd hate to make a quilt and have it ruined...any advice will be appreciated.

If you are worried about then running soak them in Retayne so they colors are set before you wash in cold water.

I am completely self taught so don't know if this is correct but it is the way I do my fabrics. I wash them the way I would wash the quilt. I lump all the same type of colors together and put a color catcher in to catch the excess dyes. Then I dry the same way, with the regular setting on my dryer. Been doing this for 35 plus years. Hope this helps.

I rhink pinkberrykay gave you good advice. You can also use the "Color Catcher" sheets, found in the grocery store.

follow the instructions on a bottle of retayne---and throw in a couple 'color-catchers' from Shout- in the grocery store laundry isle. if the color catchers come out with color- rewash the fabrics- or sort out-figure out which one is the culprit & re-wash that one- rewash until there is no more bleeding before using in a quilt that will be laundered.
i pre-wash all of my batiks---in a normal wash- with warm water & my regular detergent- some people (baby them) alot more than i would ever consider- i figure if they won't hold up to a regular wash- they are not going to hold up in a quilt....but that's me. when there is no bleeding apparent i toss them into the dryer- again on a regular cycle- i do not use fabric softener on them- if i might decide to use a fusable with them fabric softener can affect how well it works.

Thanks, I think I had better try to set the colors before I start cutting or piecing....

follow the instructions on a bottle of retayne---and throw in a couple 'color-catchers' from Shout- in the grocery store laundry isle. if the color catchers come out with color- rewash the fabrics- or sort out-figure out which one is the culprit & re-wash that one- rewash until there is no more bleeding before using in a quilt that will be laundered.
i pre-wash all of my batiks---in a normal wash- with warm water & my regular detergent- some people (baby them) alot more than i would ever consider- i figure if they won't hold up to a regular wash- they are not going to hold up in a quilt....but that's me. when there is no bleeding apparent i toss them into the dryer- again on a regular cycle- i do not use fabric softener on them- if i might decide to use a fusable with them fabric softener can affect how well it works.

I've made the quilt and then washed it with about 4-5 color catchers.

I would strongley recommend you pretreat them with Retayne. As the cost of fabrics , specifically batiks... the cost of pretreating is minimal... The cost of finding out the hard way.... too high!

This is what I do -- I don't like adding more chemicals to the cloth but like to get the excess dye out -- particularly the deep blue, red and black.