Batik treatments?
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Washington State
Posts: 1,628
Batik treatments?
I recently aquired a batch of batik fabrics from someone cleaning out a stash. I've only used a few batiks once in a bargello where everything was blue - green, so have little experience working with them. I want to use a couple of them in charity baby blankets I'm making which will be largely white so I am nervous about color bleed. Given that I have no info about the origin of these fabrics (home dyed, store bought?) what should I do to ensure that the colors are set before I cut & use them? Is just a pre-wash enough with batiks? Thanks everyone! Shannon
#3
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
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pre-wash- and toss in a color catcher- or a piece of white fabric- if it comes out with color- rewash- until no more bleeding-
you can use retayne- follow the instructions on the bottle -to help set the dye if you have a bleeder.
you can use synthrapol to keep any fugitive dyes from getting on other fabrics---it keeps the dye in the water instead of on other fabrics- again you must follow the instructions-
but the easiest way is to wash them until they do not bleed-you need to at least test them for color-fastness- but most charities require the quilts to be washed before sending them - always check with your chosen charity before sending in any quilts to make sure they will be accepted- and their requirements.
you can use retayne- follow the instructions on the bottle -to help set the dye if you have a bleeder.
you can use synthrapol to keep any fugitive dyes from getting on other fabrics---it keeps the dye in the water instead of on other fabrics- again you must follow the instructions-
but the easiest way is to wash them until they do not bleed-you need to at least test them for color-fastness- but most charities require the quilts to be washed before sending them - always check with your chosen charity before sending in any quilts to make sure they will be accepted- and their requirements.
#4
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Mechanicsville, IA
Posts: 1,497
I followed the method above. Washed like colors with 1/2 a color catcher ( in a mesh bag ) thrown in to test for color fastness and used Retayne as listed on bottle in straight hot water. I kept rewashing with Retayne and a fresh color catcher each time until the color catcher came out white or nearly white. Some groups took 3-4 washings. I did not dry in between. Hope you enjoy them.
#5
I wonder if we could use retayne on my hair when I color it? As for batiks just get them wet in the sink and the ones that bleed set aside and use the retayne on them. That is what I do and it works really well for me. And when you wash the quilt use a color catcher or two. Just to be safe.
#6
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,548
Is it yardage or precuts? Precuts are best washed in a mesh bag or something similar to prevent fraying. Retayne sets the dye but needs hot wash water. Definately pre-wash to see if you have any bleeders and separate into lights and darks for different loads too. I quick pre-test is to rub a damp white paper towel or cloth on the fabric and see if there is any colour transfer onto the towel/cloth.
#8
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 5,572
Maybe I'm the dummy, but. I've always treated batiks the same way as all other fabrics. Pre-wash with like colors and dry. Fortunately have never had an issue. Then again, it's always been yardage and LQS quality fabrics. But I'd definitely pre wash, even pre-cuts with those since you have no clue as to origin.
#9
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Northern California, Sonoma Co.
Posts: 2,814
Maybe it depends on where the batiks come from. I've used some like it was any other fabric and had no problems. But recently I was given a gorgeous set of coordinating blues in 6" squares (two of each), origin unknown. I decided to soak them, and a few bled and one twinset in particular oozed color, even after a couple of soakings. I was glad I decided to check them for color fastness.
I just had a hunch about those, but like I said, I've used others without washing with no problems. Guess I'm not much help!
I just had a hunch about those, but like I said, I've used others without washing with no problems. Guess I'm not much help!
#10
For some batik fat quarters I got at my LQS, I washed them by hand in the kitchen sink. One particular piece was washed/rinsed 21 times before it left the water clear. I was certainly glad I chose (1) to pre-wash (2) wash it in the sink where I could see the dye coming off the fabric. It was good batik, just way too much dye! I always pre-wash my material just to get the chemicals from the warehouse out of the fabric as it bothers my asthma.
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