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

[coffeebreak]

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!

[BellasQuilts]

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.

[K. McEuen]

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.

[kelliedi]

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

[bkthomas]

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

[buckeyequilter]

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

[Blondie]

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

[CrazyMtnLady]

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.

[Bubby]

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...

[auntiemern]

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.