that is a very tempting price for backing-width fabric.

Kona solids and those from Connecting Threads don't usually run.
You'd have to piece the back, but they are an alternative.
You'd spend more $$$ because they come in standard widths.

i agree with those who recommend multiple pre-washes; also agree it should be done in the hottest water setting your washer offers.

Color Catchers come in very handy when pre-washing - especially for reds, which seem to run more often than just about any other color. They're re-usable. However, I'd recommend throwing in a new one with each pre-wash. Repeat until the Color Catcher stays white. Save the used catchers for future use with regular laundry.

If you settle on the red you've shown us, I hope you'll come back to let us know how it performed in the pre-wash.
I'm sure lots of us would like to know. :)

Unfortunately I've had Kauffman Kona (and loads of other spendy stuff) run all over, too.

I agree with the multiple washings. Good luck!

I have heard about the Kona reds bleeding too - but no reason to be scared. What about purchasing synthropol from Dharma Trading? You can buy smaller quanitites and they have a "house" brand too. It's for washing out excess color and was designed to keep the excess dye from tye dyes bleeding into each other.

If it were me I'd probably explain your concerns to your pal, talk to her about the synthropol and see what she'd like to do. At the end of the day say you'll quilt it for her at her own risk! :) Also - if you do get a little bleeding I've heard GREAT things about color catchers. Tazzie Quilts blog years ago had a great post about a two color quilt she made with Kona fabrics and the red bled...she washed it with color catchers and was able to remove the excess dye.

I agree! It must be wash til it the rinse water come out clear to be safe from bleeding...

-Ok all, I washed it the 1st time with hot water & Retayne, then dried it, then I washed it a 2nd time with a color catcher in hot water (it came out pink), so I washed it a 3rd time with a color catcher and it came out pink, and I then dried it again....soo tonight, what shall I try, washing it in cold with white scrap pieces of t-shirts and see if the color sets on them? Keep washing it in hot with Retayne again? what to do what to do? Thanks :)

I would be very leary of a fabric that says to wash in cold water.

Keep washing until it comes out clear.

Was the second pink lighter than the first? Pink is actually encouraging - I would have expected almost red, from that fabric.
I would probably wash again in Retayne. Are you sure you should have washed in hot after that? I've never used Retayne but I was told that hot water will de-activate it. So I would wash in hot with Retayne one more time, then in cold with a colour catcher and see how it is. Then, assuming you can trust the recipient to never use hot water, you should be good to go.

Whenever I use a fabric like that I prewash in Retayne. Then after I think I have it to where it won't run I wash it again in warm with a piece of white fabric like something in the quilt to see what happens. Good luck!

I use Retayne frequently. Occasionally it takes 2 sessions, but as Kristakz mentioned, once you use the Retayne hot water treatment, you are supposed to wash only cool after that per instructions on the bottle. I agree to try the hot Retayne treatment once more. Then do not wash hot after that.

Dayle