I am going to attempt to make the Bow Tucks Tote that is so popular on this board. I love them! I am using a batik fabric and have read that they should be washed because they bleed a lot. Should the batik be washed first when it is going to be a purse? I am afraid if I don't wash it, then if the purse gets wet, the batik will run. Any suggestions?

I always wash all my fabric, so I would definitely wash your batiks.

I work primarily in batiks. I wash ALL dark batiks but dont mandatorily wash the lighter ones. It's the deep purple, blues, greens, blue/black, browns that look "overdyed" that you need to watch out for. It never hurts to wash them.

Where can I get a pattern for the bow tuck purse/tote. I've seen some beautiful pictures of them on this site. Is it a free pattern or one I would need to buy?

I know you can buy one from Connecting Threads, but a free one would be better.

It is a pattern to buy, you can buy it at pretty much any quilt store (in person or online).

So far as prewashing, I don't ever prewash fabric, but when I made my purse I did because though I like the crinkle look in a quilt, not so much on a purse, so I would prewash your fabrics so you can feel good about washing the purse later if it gets dirty.

Rachel

Yeah I would prewash, knowing my luck it would get damp and bleed on my lighter colored clothers :roll:

I got my pattern on Ebay. I saw the same pattern on Connecting Thread.

My batiks are deep purple, teal, and blue so I better wash them. Thanks.

I would, rub off would be a big problem, they just might bleed.