SewinSue

My LQS is out of the commercial Retayne and I just received the batik backing today in the mail. So I need to set the color before taking it to the quilter on Monday. (MY DWR is done!)

So was wondering if there is any Home Made version of Retayne??? I remember my Mom used to wash fabric in vinegar or salt water but then read that this was an old wife's tale and it doesn't work.

Thanks for any help you may have. Sue

Holice

have you washed the batik and if so did it fade. If it didn't it should not need "setting"

SewinSue

I just dipped one corner in some plain water in the sink and yes it did bleed. Not awful/horrible but with a deep purple I don't want the whole quilt to be purple. -Sue

Prism99

Vinegar and salt work on some of the older type of organic dyes but, unfortunately, they tend not to work on new fabric because dyes these days are almost all chemical in origin and require chemical setting.

Try cutting a small piece and washing it. Fibers can absorb only so much dye. If the dye was set correctly in the factory, but the fabric was not rinsed properly, the problem may simply be excess dye in the fabric rather than unset dye. Washing will get rid of excess dye. After washing, test again. If fabric still bleeds then it may be unset dye. You don't want to keep washing it if it is unset dye, because the fabric will fade excessively.

You can order Retayne at Amazon and probably pay for overnight shipping.

Update: Here is a link to Retayne on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Retayne-Color-...dp/B000YZ5HL8/
I'm sure at checkout you can upgrade shipping to overnight (for a price). With my Amazon Prime (free 2-day shipping) I will usually receive something on Saturday that is ordered Thursday night; however, Saturday delivery is not guaranteed and if it came on Monday that might not give you enough time. Oh! I just read the fine print on that listing and you do have the option of paying for guaranteed Saturday delivery -- shouldn't be *too* much on a 4-oz bottle, should it?

Fabric Galore

Have you tried 1/2 cup of baking soda in 2 gal hot water. It normally works for me.

quiltmaker

Vinegar with cold water IMHO does help the bleeding. You just keep washing in a bowl until the bleeding stops. Also you can use the dye catcher sheets in the washer which are a lot less expensive. Good luck!

SewinSue

You will never believe what happened???? At 10:05 this morning the LQS called me to say they found one bottle of Retayne and knew I was in the shop earlier this week asking for some. The owner knocked over a small bookcase type cabinet holding fabric on one side and Best Press, etc. on the other and a bottle fell out. So I picked it up and washed my backing and have it pressed and ready to use. How lucky was that?? I will keep in mind everyone's suggestions because who knows when I might run out again. Thanks, Sue