What do YOU wash your batiks with before you quilt them? I know that everyone has preferences and that the quality of your water also counts.

What techniques and/or products have you found work best for washing batics prior to quilting? Especially those pesky orangy, red, yellow ones that bleed like crazy....

I washed my batiks. I should have washed them a few more times they bled anyway. Plus when quilting if you use batik top and back its better to wash them. You can't quilt it easily. Usually the thread breaks or you have tension issues. So, its suggested to wash them (by your long armer)

I wash all fabric, except for the precuts and kits. When I wash batiks, I generally separate them into lights and darks and wash separately with color catchers. I use 2 on the darks. Haven't had a problem yet with them.

Thanks for the info. I bought 2 yard of beautiful purple, and haven't tried to use it yet. Since I don't normally wash new fabric, you saved me a big headache, and a disaster project!!

I always pre-wash.

I would love to prewash - except, when I've done it, the fabric is so soft it is much harder to piece. People talk about starch and ironing, but I guess I "iron" instead of "press," and the pieces take on a new shape or size. So, I really don't know what to do??

i dont use many batiks

I wash mine in Retayne. It's a color fixative for commercially dyed cotton fabrics (that's what the bottle says!). It was recommended by our guild when we made an opportunity quilt with batiks. Seems to work great!

doesnt soak in salt water set colors????

I test mine in the sink to see if they run - or how much. I only have small pieces of batiks. Retayne is an option or just soap and cool water.

That doesn't really work with the new dyes.