Washing Batiks
I was under the impression that you prewash batiks because they bleed. I have just received 10 batik fat quarters as a gift (from JoAnns) that states "do not prewash". So, do I not prewash the other fabric?
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Most people do not prewash pre-cut batiks. I do, because the chemicals on the fabric eats up my fingers. I either put them in a small mesh bag and throw it in the washing machine with other items or I put them in a salad spinner with some soap. Not sure why they would tell you not to wash them.
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I have bought FQ packs of batiks from JAF & I washed them without issue. I toss them in a sink with cold water & a Tbsp of Tide Free & swirl around a bit with my hands, then let soak with a Color Catcher for 20 minutes. Then, I rinse with clear, cool water before tossing in the dryer on low for 20 minutes, assuming they aren't still bleeding dye. I lay them on a rack to finish air drying before starching & pressing.
Like QuiltingCandy, I'm allergic to the sizing chemicals so I pre-wash everything no matter how small. |
I almost always prewash batik yardage and don't with precuts--take my chances on those cause I don't want to mess up the size.
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Originally Posted by quiltingcandy
(Post 7672219)
Not sure why they would tell you not to wash them.
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That is strange, if it said not to prewash, I think I would prewash. Maybe they shrink to smaller than FQ size. I know some batiks are of a looser weave than others. You may want to test one just so see what it does. I don't prewash batiks unless it's an intense color like navy, red or forest green.
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I guess they are concerned about shrinkage, but I would want them all to be shrunk so they wouldn't shrink later in uneven amounts (yes, your quilting might not allow as much, but I've seen seams tear away before).
I wash everything FQ and larger. If it shrinks a bit, I try to have plenty of material (so I generally buy a little more than I need). Plus with Batiks I am always concerned about colors running.... |
I always get a fair amount of bleeding from batiks, judging by the look of the color catchers. I wouldn't risk using a batik unwashed (but I wash everything before using).
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Originally Posted by joe'smom
(Post 7672512)
I always get a fair amount of bleeding from batiks, judging by the look of the color catchers. I wouldn't risk using a batik unwashed (but I wash everything before using).
Same here. The very first quilt that I made, I used two batik layer cakes and pre-washed all of it in the washer, because I also have some chemical sensitivities. I'm pretty sure they shrunk a bit and probably bled a bit too, but I didn't know about color catchers at the time. But they were such a tight weave that I had next to no raveling with them, and I squared them all up to 9 1/2" so the shrinkage wasn't a problem for me. I wouldn't hesitate to pre-wash those fat quarters. |
I don't prewash anything now. I take a snip of the fabric and wet it good with hot water and lay it on a white paper towel. If it bleeds, then I wash it. I just made two batik quilts for grandsons and I send Color Catchers with them. They washed great.
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