AAAGGGHHH! It bleed! The Red bleed in my flag!!!

So I always pre wash fabric. Always...other than pre cut charms. I bought some 100% cotton Quilters Ledgend brand quilting fabric in red to use for the American Flag I just finished. I had used a "dissapearing" pen as I was going to do some top stitching, but then decided not to. However, some of the pen although the green color it was came out, it left a white line where I had marked...so the pen also said it comes out with washing so I washed the quilt..on cold and damp dried on cool.

THE DANG RED BLEED ONTO THE WHITE!!!! Not everywhere, just on several large spaces throughout the white strips!

HOW DO I GET THAT OUT NOW??? If I can't, the quit is ruined...can't be repaired. So..suggestions on how to get the bleeded red off the white and to those of you that don't pre-wash...how do you handle this kind of thing?

this is a pic of the quilt...BEFORE the red bled all over the white!

I don't know but maybe a bleach pen on the white areas? I've never tried it, but just a thought. Many experts here to advise you about this.

Did you use color catchers when you washed it? I always throw in one or two, even if the fabrics have been pre-washed. Also, did you notice the bleed before you dried the quilt? The heat from the dryer may have set the stain.

There is a product called Synthrapol Detergent that might help. It is supposed to keep the bleeding colors from setting into the other fabrics. http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/2127-AA.shtml It can be purchased online as well as at many quilt shops.

Maybe try soaking the quilt in cold water for a while and rewashing it with Color Catchers until it looks clean. Don't dry it again until you have tried everything. Heat sets stains.

Cheri I don't pre-wash any of my fabric and I too had a red white and blue quilt where the red bled. I just put it immediately back in the wash by itself and with NO detergent and if your washer has a rinse and drain feature use that on it instead of doing a whole cycle. COLD WATER OF COURSE If you have some of those color catcher sheets that would be great too. I have never used them but some ladies on here swear by them. REMOVE IMMEDIATELY FROM WASH AS SOON AS IT IS DONE. Keep doing this until it is somewhat gone. I only had to re-wash once. DO NOT PUT IN DRYER UNTIL IT IS CLEARED UP. I think if you use one of those pens they might bleed onto backing fabric or the red, I DON'T KNOW THIS FOR A FACT, BUT JUST A THOUGHT.

let us know how it goes
kellie

Oh darn! I'm so sorry that happened, sure hope you can fix it, it's a beautiful quilt.

I also use color catchers and wash bright colors in cold water. Good luck with that.

yep. Color catchers catch that dye effectively. When I have a lot of red, I use way more than one.

I love that quilt I sure hope you can get where it bled cleared up. I had never heard of the color catchers until I came to this forum and will definitely have some ready when I get ready to wash my quilts.

The same thing that caused your quilt to bleed (water) will help you remove the spotting. Wash your quilt again, but this time put 2 or 3 Color Catcher Sheets (available in the laundry detergent section) with your quilt. The unknown factor is that you at least partially dried your quilt, which can make the stain harder to remove. Someone with a similar situation was told to use a specific product to remove the bleeding...I hope this person will post the name of the product for you. Good luck...

So sorry that this happened to your lovely quilt. I would try using a bleach pen and spray and wash, and rewash it using color catchers. Keep washing in cold water, do not dry until it comes out.

I don't know if this works, just passing on what I read. Quilter had same issue with her quilt and the advice was to use the Synthrapol added to really hot water, like 140', stir then add quilt and gently stir and make sure it's completely under the water and soak for 12 hrs. Rinse well and air dry. And if that doesn't get it, do it again.

Like I said, I'm just passing on what I read in the forum at http://www.thequiltshow.com/bb3/view...p?f=109&t=5267. If you go there, you might have to register, I did, as it's free for the month.

Color catchers work well but not available here in Canada or at least where I live. I snatch up several boxes when I cross-border shop..ooops. My,experience is, if they come out red, I'd rewash the fabric including new sheets and see if even more red comes out... And so on... Good luck with your flag....

Oh no, I am so sad for you. I hope it comes out.

Soak your quilt in synthropol, it should remove the red from the white and set the red

Your quilt is beautiful. I can't see any bleeding, but I am sure you do when you look closely. You did a great job on putting it together.

I see now that the picture was before it was washed. Where did you get the pattern for the quilt?

Cheri, if the stains are permanent after all your attempts to remove them, consider dyeing your quilt to looked old & antique.
Good luck, my friend!

Well..it is ruined. I bought the color treatment thing and used 2 sheets two times in a cycle..and I'd have to say that if it did anything, it made it worse! The red is all there in the white and now I can even see the red stitching where I sewed them tumblers together. Granted I should have used white, but had no idea the red would bleed much less show through so much! I even took one of the sheets and wrapped it in the quilt kind of..instead of just tossing it on the top of it. But no go. It didn't help at all. The quilt is ruined. I can't give it to my grand son like that. CarolAnn said to dye it to make it look old and antique...I'll ask her how to do that. Maybe savable, but not holding my breath. This is really devistating to me...It is the first time I have done something like this.. an actual pattern instead of my just making it up as I go along and this is what I get. I even took all my red fabrics and re=washed them t he other night to try to get the red out so it doesn't bleed...now I am not sure I want to even bother with red if it has to go with a lighter color.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Carol_Ann

Cheri, if the stains are permanent after all your attempts to remove them, consider dyeing your quilt to looked old & antique.
Good luck, my friend!

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Carol Ann - the bleed is apparently permenant. I washed it twice with 2 sheets of the color guard things and I am not so sure it didn't get worse..meaning more red in more of the white areas that didn't get it before. I am thoroughly disgusted with this. IT was for my grand son and I was so proud of myself for doing something like this as I have never done this before. It was always made up as I go along with a theme. So...how do I make it look antique? I'll try it, got nothing to loose, but maybe it will turn out. Thanks for the help

Your flag is absolutely awesome. I hope that everyone's suggestions will help you as it would be a shame for it to be ruined.
I just love this flag pattern. Maybe, it is my favorite that I have seen so far. I hope you have good luck. I would have suggested the same as some of these other quilters. I used to always pre-wash and set my fabrics before I quilted. I just now started not to do that anymore as it takes up sooooooooo much time---especially when you have backing fabric that is 9 yards long!!
Piece and blessings,
Vicki

When I want a quilt to have that antique look, I take hot water and lots of tea bags in my sink or a big pot and soak the heck out of the fabric. It is called "tea dying"---how original!! Your white won't be white anymore but from the sounds of it, the whites aren't white all the way, anyway. I don't know if this will help you. Add some salt or vinegar and it will set your reds. I love your pattern.
Piece and blessings,
Vicki

I am so sorry it got worse for your efforts. I feel for you, I really do.

I am going to have a yard sale next month...think I'll just put a price tag on it and see if I can sell it for enough to buy more fabric and just make another one..and wash the livin' day lights out of some red! I am just not into the tea dyed thing..my luck, the tea stains wouldn't stain and then his mother would hate me more than she already does cause the tea came off on his sheets... or him!!