does retayne help?
 

I have a panel that I wish to make into a quilt for a gift for my GS. If it is washed for the first time with Retayne, will that help to keep the beautiful colors it has now?
Thanks. Patricia

Retayne will keep the dye from bleeding into adjacent patches, as long as you wash with cold water after it's been treated. However, I think you are asking if retayne will also prevent fading. I don't think it will do this. A lot of fabric fading is due to exposure to sun & just general use.

Retayne sets dye. That means that if any of the dye comes loose from a red area, it could then settle and be set onto a white area. You would use synthrapol to capture loose dyes and keep them from setting where they're not wanted. I don't think either one will help with fading. Keeping it out of the sun and washing in cool water will help to stall fading.

I have used Retayne on all new fabric for about 5 years and love it. I use it on new blouses and jeans and they hold the colors for so long that I wish they would fade to I can buy new ones! Most of my blouses are a blend in fabrics, not usually 100% cotton either. Seems to work for me. JMHO