"Now, I wash every piece of fabric (except white!) with a good size (maybe 12" x 12") piece of muslin. If the fabric runs, I'll sometimes wash it a second time using Retayne. If it still bleeds after the second time, it goes into the trash."
Sounds like good advice, I'll have to try it. She also mentioned another product, Synthropol, dye catching sheets, that some have had luck with to removes the unwanted dye. I am posting it on my blog so that I can find the name quickly if I need it.
Another reason to prewash fabrics is because of the chemicals they use on the new fabrics. For instance the charity quilt that I am machine quilting was pieced by someone else and the fabrics are all donated. It was obviously not prewashed, and the new fabric smell just makes my eyes and nose burn, ugh. And some say that some fusable applique products do not work as well on non-prewashed fabrics.
And to go off topic, I realized I hadn't posted, the pieced Echt Hollands quilt. I finished it up just after my 'quilt til you wilt' outing The photo was a little dark and I lightened it up in Picasa. I hope the colours don't look too washed out. Now, do you think I need a border? My mom suggested a 2-3 inch blue border... any suggestions?
11 comments:
Very pretty! Yes, I think a border would provide a nice frame and a stopping place for the eyes so they will be led back into the center of the quilt.
I prewash everything too - and I HAVE had a couple problems with bleeding so I now us dye catchers with all dark and bright loads.
I always wash my fabrics first. On a serious note, my SIL nearly died from an allergic reaction to the chemicals in a fabric that she was working with. Now, she washes her fabrics.
Love the quilt. Yes a border would be good. It would frame the quilt them.
I really like how this is coming along. I agree with all above and vote for the blue border!
I think a border would frame the quilt as well. What about a dark frame with more appliqué? Obviously I don´t have to do the appliqué! Take care.
I always pre-wash my fabrics, nothing goes into the sewing room unless it's been washed. For those colours that tend to bleed continually, reds etc I use 2 cap fulls of synthropol in the washing machine. It's a wonderful product, perhaps a little better than dye catcher sheets. Fortunately I've never had a horror story. Love your little quilt top.
Your quilt top looks lovely. It gives off such a fresh feeling. Great job!
I pre-wash also bcs of shrinkage. I heard recently that it's actually better to wash without detergent, as the detergent may prevent colors from running as much as they are wont to do, which can mean further running later on. Anyone know if this is true?
p.s. agree about the blue border. Maybe a couple of borders of different widths, like a thin neutral and then a wider blue.
The Echts Holland quilt is looking so lovely. I would add a border or 2 but if you are going to use blue consider a very narrow strip of red between the 2 blues. I am loving your reds so I like the idea of just a bit more.
AND yes about the prewashing. I know I can always press my fabric with starch myself if I need stiffness or crispness to do a piece. I don't like touching all the chemicals used when fabric is polished up for sale; not to mention the colour running or uneven shrinkage between different manufacturers.
I love this beautiful piece, and I agree that a border would be a good thing.
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