Red and White Quilt
 

How do you set colors in red fabric? I have googled this question and have so many responses that I'm confused.
Do you use vinegar, salt and water method or use a prewash like Synthrapol purchased at quilt stores. There are also the Color Catchers by Shout. What have you found to be best?

Most of the time, I test the fabric. Learn this trick from Harriet Hargrave. Wash it in hot water along with tiny amount of your normal laundry soap and put it in a small container and shake it on and off for at least 5 minutes. I then rinse it and put it on a white paper towel. if it doesn't bleed, I don't worry. If it bleeds I will wash the fabric. I use color catchers in every load of laundry I do. Best invention since sliced bread !! :)

vinegar no longer sets the dyes used commercially- the chemicals have changed- so unless it is fabric from the 70's or before that method will accomplish nothing. first do a bleed test---wet the fabric- rub it with a white piece of fabric or paper towel & see if it's a 'bleeder' or not. if it is, prewash it with detergent- and check it again- you can add retayne to the water- but synthropol is a totally different 'animal' synthropol suspends the fugitive dyes in the water- so if you had other fabrics in with the red and the red ran the dye would stay in the water- not get on the other fabrics- it does nothing to set dye. but often it is just recommended to keep washing the fabric until it does not bleed any more. some never stop- and then are generally not used in a washable item- some never bleed- some stop with one wash- just test & go from there.

Retayne is excellent stuff. I just used it on 3 pieces of red flannel and it doesn't "bleed". It is easy to use and doesn't need much product.

Retayne works great. Then color catchers after the quilt is done.

I used synthrapol and color catchers when I washed my red fabric. Ended up washing it 4 times. When I wash the quilt the first time I will also use color catchers.

Some reds are extremely colorfast.

If ANY fabric I have acquired turns out to be a bleeder, I discard it. I do not want anyone else plagued by a bad piece of fabric.

great useful information

Acttually, if the bleeding fabric has been reccently purchased and I have the receipt, I will try to return it to the seller because I consider it to be defective - unless there was a warning on the end of the bolt - as there was on some madras plaids way back when.