Twisted Quilter

I've got a few pieces of red fabric that I would like to use. I was giving some thought to throwing them in a mason jar w/boiling water and a little Retayne since they're so small. The red in these pieces just look like they want to bleed. Has anyone tried this?

faykilgore

I frequently do this with fabrics that have that "I'm gonna bleed!" look to them. If they don't color the hot water in my bowl, I don't worry as much putting them into the washing machine with the other fabrics. I've also used the hot water in the bowl for those that did bleed, continuing to change out the water until it quit bleeding. Turquoise has given me more trouble than red for some reason.

joyce888

I've been using Synthrapol on my batiks and love it. I've also used Retayne with success. I think your idea of swishing them in a jar is good since they are small.

elnan

I get the impression that the pieces of red fabric are too small to throw in the washer. If you're just interested in shrinkage and dye bleeding, try a clear bowl and the microwave. I've done this where it went through several bowls of water before I squeezed the fabric in a hand towel, then draped over a line to dry before pressing. I did use a drop or two of liquid soap in the first bowl.

bearisgray

Never thought of heating the water in a microwave.

Peckish

I've done this and it worked well. I didn't bother with any chemicals and I didn't bother to change the water. Just stuck the fabric in very hot water and left it there overnight. Just make sure the fabric isn't wadded up tightly or crammed too much into the jar.

Twisted Quilter

Thanks all. First time color catcher was pink, but fine after that. Postage stamp quilt...here I come!

sewbeadit

Last week I had a red that I knew was going to bleed, it felt like it would, looked like it would and I even took a wet piece of white fabric and rubbed it against it and some dye came off, so I knew it would. Brought it in and put it in the sink of hot hot water and not a thing came out of it. Couldn't believe it, I would have bet a hundred bucks, or yards of fabric that it would have bled. So a person never knows. I think the microwave idea sounds great.

ManiacQuilter2

I do test of fabrics that I suspect with hot water and soap in a mason jar. This is a technique that Harriet Hargrave taught me. After shaking it for a few minutes, I then leave it to soak for a few minutes, then rinse and put the fabric on a white paper towel to see if it bleeds.

janice1120

When do you decide to use Synthrapol and when to use Retayne.