I just finished a 92x108 quilt for my DH. Sprayed off the markings with water. As usual I put it in the washer with cold water to soak any marks that did not come out, along w/color catchers. Well, there was so much blue overdye on the backing that it bled thru to the beige on the front of the quilt. Needless to say, I will from now on prewash ALL fabric before I make another quilt. I have never ever had this happen before. Guess I have learned a lesson the hard way. The front now has a really dull greyish blue look.

My condolences!

Sorry:< Yes, not pre-washing is like playing Russian Roulette. One day...bang. I've had a few experiences like yours that makes me in the pre-washing camp. It really is worth the extra time to pre-wash and then starch the fabric.

Sorry to hear that.

I am so sorry.

Oh, that is sad. If you wash it again will the part that bled fade or will the backing continue to bleed more blue? I ask because I am also finishing a quilt that the fabric manufacture says NOT to prewash. It is a concern for many of us. Thanks for sharing your story.

how truly sad.

is the blue fabric from a different maker then you normally work with?

Sorry about your quilt. I don't prewash but I do test any dark, bright, or deep color fabric before using. Try Rit color remover. It has worked great getting blue dye from jeans off white clothes for me.

Good luck with the quilt. This happened with a red on me so now I prewash also!

If you have not put it in the dryer go immediately and get some Sythropol and wash it again. There is Hope!

OH NO!! So sorry !!!

If you didn't dry the quilt in the dryer there is a possiblity that a Shout color catcher with still remove the stained areas. I am very sorry to hear about your quilt, but maybe the above suggestion might help.

I'm so sorry this happened. :(

One word - Oxyclean. Love the stuff for things like this. Ive never had a problem with a quilt, but occasionally with new jeans.

I feel your pain. Although I am a staunch pre-washer and did so with a piece of green - it still bled all over the place. I washed that quilt so many times with color catchers I can't even remember. Finally got the offending color off the front but gave the quilt to it's recipient with a box of color catchers and instructions to never wash it without them.

I'm SO sorry this happened to you!

yes, I needed a plaid for backing and bought some blue plaid homespun.

If you are talking about the blue from the marking pens try this. It should get it out even though you may need to soak it. I don't iron anything with the blue pen in it because it sets it;
If your blue soluble marker does not wash out, try the following:
¼teaspoonbakingsoda
¼cuphotwater
Pour over marked area and the blue (should) disappears forever.

:(

Gah. My black and white one was done from a jelly roll, so now I'm afraid to wash it and have black and grey...

Note to self: Add color catchers to the grocery list.

I used to "just" wash -

I learned from an acquaintance of mine to soak the fabrics in hot water for a while BEFORE washing them -

Then there is time for excess dye to "release" before washing (on a short gentle cycle - cool to warm water - use gentle cycle in dryer until barely dry)

I've learned that it is the agitation that makes fabric look old/used more than being submerged in water.

I give Color Catchers with EVERY quilt I make with instructions to use them until they come out white (or close to it)

So sorry to hear. I always pre wash everything.

get some Synthrapol and wash with it. it removes any excess colors and they go away in the rinse.
good luck.

I'm so, so sorry. I had a scarf once that I knit and knit - it was extra long. One was a pale color and one bright - two balls of yarn over $40. Well the bright dulled and bleed on the light. I was so disappointed I wore it only a few times.

Sorry to hear of this. And also glad to hear of some tips to avoid it :-)

What a bummer. Hope you will be able to salvage it.

Where did you get the blue fabric? My LQS owner told me if I ever get fabric that has a problem to bring the quilt back. The owner also wants to know so she can contact the fabric company and may not buy more of their fabrics. The shop owner also told me she has only had 1 red fabric bled in her 6 years. I never prewash for 100% cottons from a quilt shop. If I mix fabrics for clothing then I do prewash.

Tootsie, I love the cow.

Even if yo have dried it the Synthropol may still work. I made a quilt out of neck ties. Washed them all first but one still bled. I washed the quilt in Synthropol 3 times. you can barely notice the run. You really have to look for it.

I always prewash fabric and I use color catchers too.

Several years ago I had a quilt that had what I thought were premanent stains on it My daughter was refinishing a piece of furniture and accidently got the wood stripping on the quilt. It ended up with small brown wood stain spots on it that resembled splotches of paint The quilt was very special to me and I was devastated. I went on line and found a recipe for a soak. I have since lost that recipe but I do remember that it contained 20 Mule Team Borax and Oxyclean ( I think thats what its called) it may have had baking soda as well, I wish I could recall. I soaked the quilt for almost a week and watched in amazement as the stain became smaller and lighter until it was totally and completely gone. I did the happy dance!
Anyway, dont give up hope. Google for the laundry recipe and soak your quilt. I'm thinking you can get that stain out with a minimal amount of effort. Geez I hope this helps...
Good Luck to you
Mikki

I have never had this problem. I put the sheets of stuff in the wash that catch the color, use cold water, and ALWAYS add white vinegar to the water before I put the piece in.
White vinegar is an old remedy that my MIL taught me.

Omg!!! i am so sorry this has happened to you!!

I haven't used it on a quilt but I have used the Shout Color Catchers in a second wash for items that bled when washed and then dried in the dryer. Most, if not all, of it has come out in the second wash. Oxyclean is great too.

If you can find Awesome at the Dollar Store or Family Dollar it will take stains out of fabric that has been washed and dried.sometimes. Good luck

Synthrapol...is that a brand name? What stores do you find it in?

I've heard that if you wash it again with another colour catcher it will come out more from the spots it is not supposed to be.

I don't normally prewash, but Really dark or heavy colors I do. Red Blue and Yellow seem to be the worst so far for running.

And turquoise, orange, and purple. Sometimes black and brown.

I'VE definitely been there, my suggestion is to wash it again using more color catchers and see if that takes out the extra dye from both sides. I hope you didn't put it in the dryer. Good luck!!