Prism, you seem to know this stuff so I want to pick your brain a little...do you know what a manufacturer does to set modern dyes? What did they NOT do for this fabric?

Mostly just curious, but wondering what it is that they do (or are failing to do) to set these dyes and if there's anything (other than Retayne) that can be done at home.

I also never realized that hot water would wash Retayne back out...I don't use it often but that's good to know!

I had a similar problem with a bright green fabric - finally decided it wasn't worth taking a chance and use it. Tossed it so I wouldn't use it in the future by mistake.

The label on the Retayne bottle explains to not use hot water after treating with Retayne.

The newer bottles also have an update about using (or not using?) in front load machines ... I didn't pay attention to the instructions, being that I have a top loader.


My experience has been that all fabrics have stopped their bleeds with Retayne. Sometimes I will wash it a 2 or 3 times to see if it stops bleeding. Sometimes I just go straight to Retayne after the first wash ... saves water and gets the job done sooner!! :D

I have thrown away a bright blue batik after "washing" it many, many times - trying many different things to get it to stop bleeding. I was using a pure white kitchen dish washing pan and when I would squeeze it, tons of blue dye would come out - my husband said it looked like an octopus squirting out his ink. So, threw it away. One other batik got thrown away and I think it had green and gold in it - same thing.

I pre-wash my fabrics for just such a reason, about 99% of the time. Sometimes there is a fabric you don't suspect that will bleed.

........ exactly ........ and sometimes you get the pleasant surprise (or shock?) when one you suspect will bleed, did not.

My latest shock .... a red batik.
Red + Batik, normally means disaster!
I even re-washed it a second time, as I couldn't believe it, but both times, the Dr Bs came out snow white!

Where do you find the brand Dr Bs? I've on seen Color Catchers around where I live?

In Canada, we can no longer buy the Colour Catchers that you do.
However, I can buy Dr. Beckmann's, which does the same job.

Here, they are available in just some of the grocery stores.
I have a stash, for fear that they too will become an endangered species!
Which reminds me ... better add to the stash next time I am in the right store.

I so agree with this suggestions. Sadly, batiks are renowned for this problem - at least some batiks. I had the same thing happen with a purple batik once. Retayne is great, but I have found the water/vinegar/salt mixture to work every time. I think you will be please with it if you ever try it.
Marcia

You would think that expensive fabric would have been "run prevention prepared" I have just made a red and white QOM and didn't prewash--I am so disgusted with myself for not washing it because I could have. It was not precut or anything and I had nice big pieces. Anyway, I think it will ending up as a "just for show" quilt.