As Alex and Ricky tell us at the end of their TQS, "Every day is a new day." And yesterday was certainly a valuable learning experience. I personally learned a lot about products to use when prewashing fabrics. My HSTs are not sewn together yet, so I now will carefully just soak all of them (no agitation/movement of any kind) for about 20 minutes, and then carefully set them on a sheet to air dry (which would also show if there are any fabrics that still bleed). I'd rather be safe than sorry with this quilt because I plan on putting a lot of work into it with other ideas. And...this is definitely one quilt I want to finish and enjoy the rest of my life. What did Ben Franklin say? "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." I'm absolutely not a member of the quilt police, but these HSTs are very special to me and I want to preserve them in a beautiful quilt as much as my skills will allow me to do. If it takes me a little longer than I originally planned, that's okay.

I've never done this, but here is a suggestion you might want to try.

Take your assembled top (or blocks?) and lay it flat on a light colored piece of fabric. Maybe a sheet? Lay another light fabric over the top of it. (another sheet?)

Use a mister to thoroughly wet the entire surface and let it air dry. A fan will help speed the process. When it's dry, check the light fabrics for bleeding and carefully treat, (or remove?) the bleeding fabric. Then you should be able to continue making your quilt with peace of mind about bleeding.

I really hope that the possibility of a couple of bleeding fabrics doesn't cause anyone to abandon this wonderful friendship project. These quilts are too precious to just spend eternity as a UFO!!

Terry, I did this with my rescued quilt because it had been stored for who knows how many years and smelled horribly; although it was completely put together but no batting or backing yet. No bleeding on the cream colored fabric even on the colorful really old fabrics but it took me two full days of clipping threads after washing it before I could put it together for quilting.

Wow, now I'm scared about my HST project. . .I just sewed the blocks together for my Forest of Friends and have picked a border fabric. . .This is going to be a 50ishx70ish sized quilt which I had planned to use as a throw. Now. . .should I finish the project or should I wash it now while it is almost a top?

kathyst2 wrote:
Thank you for sharing, Kathy...we've learned much from your experience today. I hope your quilt turns out just as you want it to be.

Shirley

Well, I am sorry for your trials. I guess maybe I won't wash mine. Since it will only be wall size it won't need washing. I do wonder what will happen when I do the batiks quilt.

Thanks for the update Kathy! I hope you can get all the excess dye out!

Hi all, I tried some spot removal with Synthrapol and color catchers. Thanks to all the good advice! I pinned a folded color catcher to the front of the quilt where the bleeding was on the back, then q-tipped some synthrapol onto the dampened area, mushed it around, "rinsed" with wet paper towels, and blotted heavily. The two areas I tried are still drying and I can't tell if it is working. The color catcher sheets on the front have picked up a LOT of dye from the offending triangles. The treatment did remove some bleeding from the front of the quilt near one of the bleeding triangles.

I'll just warn in general terms: Batiks, in dark blue, pink and turquoise may bleed.

I'll keep you posted.
Kathy

Kathy, I'm like Margo, I rarely prewash and I've never had a bleed. But I'm not as prolific as other folks and just haven't turned out alot of quilts. Anyway, I wanted to thank you for giving us a heads up so I can get some Synthrapol and color sheets as a precaution when I wash my quilt. I wish you hadn't been the test bunny though and hoping you find a good fix.

Patti

Margo wrote:
Thanx, Margo! I usually don't preshrink my fabrics for wall hangings, but I do prewash them for quilts. Years ago I had one green fabric and one dark blue with white glitttery snowflakes on it b-l-e-e-d...and they were from upscale manufacturers! It just depends a lot on how the finished quilt will be used.

PosyP wrote:
Way too funny ! So cool ! And I just l-o-v-e it !

PosyP wrote:

Luv it!!

Kathy, since you have a pink triangle on the back how about a bit of cheeky surface embroidery or drawing with a fabric pen and turn it into your own Sorting Hat motif?

Shirley, I'm really not sure how the temperature of the first wash affects the outcome. I can tell you that I am not particularly careful about washing my quilts like a lot of people are. I think that since I'm using cotton fabrics (and battings) they should be able to stand up to a regular wash cycle, just like my regular cotton clothes.
Think jeans and khakis and tee shirts and golf shirts!
But, my quilts are not for show! I make them to be used up and loved to death and I like the softness that comes with lots of use.
I know that people cringe, but I seldom prewash my fabrics unless it's requested, like for this exchange!!!

My quilts are washed in hot water with Orvus Paste (after the first wash with Synthrapol has removed any excess dye) then dried in the dryer, because that's the look I like!

If you want your quilts to look crisp and new and never used, you will need a different approach!