LucyInTheSky

I don't know if this is true, but I always heard cold water makes clothes 1) keep their colors better and 2) shrink less. I have a hunch that's an old wives tale, but based solely on that, I would wash in cold.

Pzazz

If this is an old wives tale, then I must be an old wife. :P If you want to "set" the colour, you need to use cold. And if I dont' want my clothes shrunken in the wash, I wash them...in cold. (Hubby tends to use water too warm and has shrunken a few sweaters, shortened pants, etc. :( )

LucyInTheSky

hmmm, so it might be true. I wasn't sure since last week I was watching a pot, and it boiled! Never sure what has truth behind it :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

mpeters1200

I usually wash everything in warm, including the quilts. I figure most everyone I know washes in warm and I figure they'll do the same to my quilts. I only wash socks in hot...so not a lot of shrinkage going on.

Moonpi

I use the Carbona brand - looks like a terrycloth washcloth and is good for 30 loads or more. Both Joanne's and Hancocks carry them.

DJ

If I'd known about color catchers a few years ago, I may not be a quilter today!

I had a quilted spread that I had bought and when I took it to the cleaners to wash for me, the colors bled. I don't think the cleaners knew it, and I had no idea what to do when I removed it from the cleaner's bag. Didn't take it back to the cleaners, I returned it to the store I'd bought it from. Couldn't find another quilt with the right colors, so I had to make one. The beginning . . .

BethD

Definitely, Bounce Color Catchers. Put them in the washer AND transfer to the dryer too...works every time!

Rachel

I had this issue with a white baby quilt I had made, and I had washed the purple fabric, (about 4 times, and it still bled). Use Retayne, you can get it at most quilt stores, it works wonderfully. I also used the Bounce Color Catchers, but they just couldn't absorb all the excess dye. Once I used the Retayne one time, it never bled again, the color catchers finally came out white. Try it and you shouldn't have any issues with it bleeding. Good luck!!!

wishiwerequilting

I would also suggest the Retayne and the color catchers.
BTW, where did you purchase your fabric? the only time I ever had a problem that you are describing is when I purchased fabric at a Joanns. There are frequently discussions about fabric quality between discount/chain stores and the local quilt shops. Unstable fabric dye is one of the very bad "downsides" to buying from chains. That very same fabric (looks the same, but is not "really" the same) from a quilt shop, will not do that. Something to think about before you spend all that time and effort on a quilt.
Lisa

bearisgray

In my experience, it doesn't matter where the fabric came from.

I've had inexpensive fabric behave nicely and badly, I've had LQS (expensive) fabric behave nicely and badly.

I do sort the fabrics into similar colors before dunking them - Rule of thumb - if it bleeds, it won't hurt the other pieces


For example, I have five blues in my soaking water - and the water is turning blue - then I check each piece to see which one has the bad manners. After I find out which one is spilling color, I will rinse it until the water is barely colored. Usually after two or three rinses, it's clear enough.

Occasionally, a piece just wont' stop - and my personal feeling is that it doesn't deserve to be in one of my pieces. (I will try to return it or discard it - if I do keep it, I LABEL IT PROMINENTLY and put it in a ziploc bag.