MsEithne

It is highly unlikely to impossible that you set the dye with a cold water rinse. I suppose the manufacturer may have used some sort of dye that I have never heard of... which would be unlikely (I've been hand dyeing for over 20 years and read everything I can find about dyes).

I suspect that the bleeding is actually staining, whereby hydrolized dye molecules (dye molecules that have bonded to water molecules) became lodged into the fibres of the adjoining area.

If my theory is correct, then the stained areas will lighten with each successive washing (in warm or even cold water) will dislodge some of them. Eventually they will all be gone.

I vote for your DH's suggestion. Maybe wash the quilt one more time on the ordinary warm or cold setting of your washing machine, then give it to your niece.

After all, you don't want to fuss with this quilt until it turns into a gift for her retirement party!

Tashana

I use color catchers in my wash. You would be surprised to see how red the catcher is after being washed with my 10 years old sheets that were washed at least 100 times. I believe in color catchers. I know they work since my husband's undershirts are no longer pink. Lol!

Lori S

A note about using Retayne , once used , you Must wash the quilt or fibers treated in Cold water . Do not use it on completed quilts....use Synthropol on completed projects.
If its a quilt I am giving as a gift I am reluctant to trust the recipient will always always use cold water to wash. Using warm or hotter water will remove the Retayne and you are back to a potential bleeding situation. So I wash the fabrics or rinse , till the water runs clear with warm to hotish water.
As for getting the water to 140 , I use a stainless pot on the stove and keep swishing the fabric . For large amounts of fabric I found a old canning pot at a garage sale.

batikmystique

The directions for the Retayne say to use for fabrics which might bleed...will help set in the color. Synthrapol says will help pull out excess dyes, such as those used in hand-dyed fabrics like batiks. This is how I've used them.

I was intrigued by the use of the Retayne for all fabrics across the board prior to use, and for the use of Synthrapol once a quilt is completed.

Nevertheless, here is a link to the products' page which gives instructions on their uses: http://www.softexpressions.com/softw...tCareProd.html

Christine-

This is very good information, just what I needed.