Rose S.

I really appreciate the input...I don't normally prewash but the batiks are different in my way of thinking. So, am pretty sure I will do something to test them.

sweetana3

Can anyone tell me if it is a problem if all the colors I use in a quilt are woodland colors will any bleed really be a problem? Even the background is a dark fishing print. I am thinking of using black batting too.

All the batiks are 1895 line from Hoffman and are the woodland colors of rust, blue, brown, green.

Lee in Richmond

I adore batiks, and never pre-wash the ones that are high quality, have no 'wrong' side, usually bought on-line. So far I have had no bleeding at all...

Lori S

The 1895 are some of the biggest bleeders. Toss one into the sink with warm water, leave it for about 10 minutes, hand agitate , and make your own decision.
The problem can be worse if you have a high effieciency /low water washing machine. The released dye will be concentrated.

Nammie to 7

I prewash all my fabric. When I wash my quilts I use color catchers just in case. Right now I'm washing red for a backing. There is a lot of white on the front of the quilt (what was I thinking!!). It is on the second wash now - with a color catcher - it will be interesting to see how much color it picked up.

coopah

I don't buy batiks anymore after choosing and buying some for a very special quilt. HA! I prewash and they bled. And bled, and bled, and ...you get the idea. Some even changed color! It was sad, because I'd bought all of them at quilt shops. I used synthrapol and retayne and then vinegar and nothing really worked. So go figure...

Elisabrat

color catchers.. they catch the lose color in your wash so if you have a small piece say a fq and washing isnt always the best idea.. use a color catcher when you finish the product to catch that extra dye

QM

I prewash everything. with intense colors, I generally run a check afterwards. I buy good batiks. I have only had one bleed. It was an intense dark blue, that stopped bleeding after a second wash.

littlebitoheaven

I bought 9 yards of a red fabric for the back of a quilt. Washed it at least 6 times with color catcher and it still bled. I had to buy another fabric for the back as the front of the quilt had white fabric in it. Red can really be a problem. Love it but....

IrishNY

I am running a couple of batiks through the washer for a second time right this minute. They bled terribly the first time through so I treated them and am trying again. You never know - no problems with a bunch of them, even dark ones, and then BAM - one of them turns the color catcher the same color as the fabric.