Fabric bleeding

[RockinLou]

About eight weeks ago I picked up some green and gold fabrics at the market, the seller said they were cotton, I pre-washed and the rag I threw in to check for bleeding came out bright green, so I dried in the dryer. The fabric ended up residing under the tree as a makeshift tree skirt... And so before putting it back in the stash (where it would have gone after the first wash!) this afternoon I washed it again.

Today I mistook it for a shirt DH has in the same color and was not paying attention... A pair of my daughters white underwear went in the load. They came out bright green!! I always prewash on hot and dry, and never have a problem. I know for sure I ore washed this fabric, and I'm soooo glad it didn't get sewn into something to then destroy it.

I was hoping to use this as backing for a wall hanging for a friend, but I am now nervous that it will bleed and ruin the whole quilt.

So, how can I make sure this fabric doesn't ruin anything special??

[pcbatiks]

There is a product called Color Catchers that will keep fabrics from bleeding on other fabrics. I haven't used them yet .......but they do work. Here is the link to Sewbee's experience with them.


Never Under Estimate the Power of Color Catcher Sheets!!

[vchale]

If you can get the color catchers you should try them. Otherwise I would not use it in a quilt. I have some dark red sheets that kept bleeding every time I washed them. I finally quit using them.

[KnitWitRosie]

Color Catchers are AMAZING!! I just pre-washed a boat ton of cotton and flannel for shirts and pj pants for me and hubby. Washed the cotton and the flannel separately and put 2-3 color catchers in with each load. The cotton one came out purple and the flannel one came out blue! The shirt that I just made Hubby (white with red Superman logos all over it) came out white!

They're usually about $3-$4 a box at Wally World and I think there is like 24 sheets per box. Well worth the money!!! I usually buy 2 boxes when I go as I use them quite frequently.

[Deegles]

I understand pre-washing the fabric. Excellent idea! Doing it in hot....excellent idea. However colors are supposed to be washed in cool. The 2nd hot water wash probably made it bleed. Try washing it again with something else in cold and see if it bleeds again. Or even use vinegar. Vinegar sets the color and its cheap!

[Sandy Navas]

Should we be sending you a case of Color Catchers since you probably can't find them there? Make Your Own Laundry Color Catchers - One Good Thing by Jillee


Maybe you can find something there that will work????

[Doloris]

there is a product called retayne retayne - Walmart.com
this is supposed to set the colors in fabric. if you want to use this piece in a quilt I would try using the retayne and then wash with color catchers to see if it truly did stop bleeding.

[coffeebreak]

That's why I always pre wash everything! I don't like this kind of surprise! And if red or deep purples...I will pre wash twice. I use Color Catchers, but they tend to be expensive and I never see any coupons, but I will "splurge" every other month and buy a box at the grocery...$4.49! But I figure the cost is worth the effect. I made an American flag quilt for my GS...pre washed everything. But on the final wash...the red bled to the white. I tried bleach, re wash, soak, everything I could think of and couldn't get the red out so basically the quilt was ruined. So now I toss in a CC for dark colors only in the pre wash and then...if still concerned, I'll toss in one on the final wash of the completed quilt. I often save the quilts till I get 3-4 and wash them all together with one catcher.

[TamiLee]

Thanks so much for the recipe, Sandy!! Has anyone made up any of these? Looks very interesting....!!!

[RockinLou]

I don't think color catchers are an option here, I tend to use a white microfiber towel instead if I'm worried, but both of these loads there was a towel and other items and the towel didn't catch enough!! I'll try a third time and see how it goes.

Thanks for all the ideas!