Reetzbobeetz wrote:
Thanks for the link, I'm sure I've heard of this company before to do with fabrics & such, I must head on over and have a look.

Pam, thanks for that. The problem is that they won't deliver to Ireland apparently However, I have just been given a number for a company in England which does deliver to Ireland so I have ordered from them. If anybody is interested it is http://www.georgeweil.com .

Rita

Check out this link. A lady in southern Englad sells Synthrapol on ebay.co.uk.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Synthrapol-specialised-dye-rinsing-detergent-250-ML-/120402410742?pt=UK_Crafts_Other_Crafts_EH&hash=item1c088afcf6

Good luck.

Yes Lorchen, I have a top loader washing machine. It's the synthrapol that is proving a little more difficult to get here in Ireland. I wonder is there an alternative?

Rita, I hope you have a toploading washing machine. Most washers here in England are front loaders, so the 'agitation by hand' would not be possible. But there is always your bathtub and the pink feet. You could invite Rosemary over. She obviously likes pink feet (evil grin)!

Margo, you are certainly a wealth of information! Thank you! Looks like I better order some Synthrapol. I bookmarked the Dharma site.

Rita, best of luck. I'll be watching to see how your adventure turns out.

Lynn

Thanks Galesville. I am really hoping that I can get Synthrapol here!

Rita

Lynn, if you will read the instructions on the Dharma site about how to use Synthrapol, you will see that they recommend HOT water!! I know it sounds conflicting to what we have all been taught, but apparently the chemicals work better in hot water to get the excess dye in suspension.

http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/2127-AA.shtml?lnav=chemicals.html

Lots of interesting info here! I love the suggestion to add quilting to solve that issue. Seems pretty obvious after you suggested it, Margo, but I'm not sure I would have thought of it. I am curious, though, why HOT water rather than cold? Doesn't that increase the bleeding? Obviously I'm a newbie and have a lot to learn! It is a lovely quilt!

That's true. I will have to change my attitude from dread to pleasure and maybe then it won't hang over me like the sword of Democles I am sure it won't be so bad once I actually start to tackle it. The kids are back to school on Monday - after three months So more time at the machine for me and less time driving them here and there.

Love the new photo Ritzy - very cute baby

I was thinking how much more you will like the quilt when it is done. I often think about early quilts I have made and what I wished I had done different. You have that chance.

I think my head will have exploded with all the quilting info by then :shock:

Just imagine how smart you will be by next year!!

Thanks Ritzy and Margo, that's what I will do. Hand agitating it sounds like the best idea. I will take your advice and see how it goes. I don't know if I can get syntrapol here in Ireland - I will have to wait until monday to call a few places. Fortunately everything in the quilt is cotton, including the batting, so I will use the dryer. I have a lot of stitches to stitch first though! If only I knew then what I know now.