Question for those who don't prewash

I'm a prewasher as well. I had a similar experience with a green fabric a couple of years ago. When I prewash I don't use any additives to set and/or catch colors. Since this was alot of yardage (backing for queen quilt) it was by itself in the washer/dryer. I went on my merry way sandwiching and (hand) quilting. During the quilting I noticed that some of the dye was still rubbing off on my clothing! I always wash finished quilts as well before giving them away to get rid of markings, dog hair, etc. I did throw a color catcher in with the quilt in warm water. It didn't bleed onto the lighter fabrics but I ended up washing it several more times w/ multiple color catchers each time. I was still getting dye on the catchers. I ended up giving bro & SIL a box of color catchers with the quilt and told them to use them each time they washed the quilt. They live distant to me and frankly I have no idea if they have ever used and/or washed the quilt. I've never heard a word from them about it so I'm guessing either the color catchers are working or they are not using the quilt.

FWIW the only time I've had issues with colors running and setting are with red. Washed a red tshirt of DH's with the rest of his nasty work clothes. Light colored pants came out pinkish/purple. And this was a shirt that had been washed repeatedly before. I finally threw it away. At least it really didn't make a difference to him - just funny looks/questions from his brothers!

Kim in NJ

Giving the box of color catchers might do the trick if it still bleeds after it's finished. Or maybe I'll just tell her to bring it back to me when she wants it washed! She's going to be a busy young lady - she's expecting a little one in September and has just bought her own business - so I don't know if she'll be as focused on taking care of a quilt the "right way." Yep, doing it myself might be the best thing!

I've made hundreds of crib quilts. Never 'pre' wash; always wash before sending. Never have had one bleed. It's probably because I'm such a good person and live such a pure life. OTOH, maybe it's because I haven't used dark brown in a quilt. You'll never know. Polly

Okay, I'll go along with the "good person and live such a pure life" bit (but can I roll my eyes a little bit when I do?). And I'll envy you your luck with no bleeding - I've had red, green, brown, blue and purple bleed. Thankfully, it's happened with a finished quilt only three times - although that's plenty! Most of the time I catch it in the prewashing, so that's good.

Do you do anything special when you wash it before sending? Cold water only? Special detergent? Color catchers?

Cold water, just a little detergent, 2 rinses. Gentle dryer - and I grab it out while still a little damp and block flat to finish drying. I expected some eye rolling. Polly

Since I see everyone on the group as beauty queens anyway I can go with the good person/pure life attitude. I think the minerals and water differences along with assorted laundry products make a differences. That is a guess but I think there is something to it. Maybe it is your water is pure Polly? lol I have had blues, reds and greens all run. Taria

Polly Esther wrote:

I'm thinking it might have something to do with the gators - not sure exactly what yet, but they might just play a role in all this!

I don't think about it, that's how I deal with it. It's never happened to me, I guess when it does, I'll figure out something different. I mostly make miniature and pretty small quilts and they don't get washed very often. I've never had anyone tell me that their baby quilts have had a problem.

Cindy

Uhh,, I'm gonna go out on a limb here and figure it's the latter.

Cindy

I'm a pre-washer & also wash completed quilts before giving or using them. If I am giving something that I think may bleed, I suggest that the recipient use a Color Catcher when washing, at least until it comes back with no new color. I have also included a box of Color Catchers with the quilt a few times.

Julia > I'll be making a quilt for my niece and her husband, and it will have a very

snort! ..........thinking about the mayonnaise jar under the bed marked "Polly's emergency bail fund".

Val

I've given quilts with color catchers and washing instructions.

Sounds like a good idea! I was trying to think of what my reaction would be if someone gave me a guilt and it bled - the first thought would be that it was my fault, and I'd never have the nerve to tell the person who gave it to me. At least if you give them washing instructions and color catchers, they'd know what they SHOULD do to take care of it.

Well, I am a prewasher when it comes to making clothing, but not usually when it comes to quilts. And I do wash finished quilts, with a color catcher in cold water, machine dry. One thing to remember is that there is a difference between color running and color transferring. Frequently you will get color running or bleeding but that color may not transfer to another fabric. Especially with today's dyes. It is like fabric that isn't colorfast.... the color is lost, but it won't transfer, permanently to another fabric because of at least a couple of things. In order for dye to transfer and "dye" a different fabric the fabric must be "prepared" to accept the dye. (Different dyes need different preparation, and it can have a lot to do with the Ph of your water too. ) And there must be a "mordant" to set the dye in the fabric. Also a dye bath will only color a certain amount of fabric, and it must be used within a certain time frame to work. If a dye bath is "exhausted" it may still look like dye, but there won't be any particles "loose" to adhere to the new fabric. And if it is "old" the reaction will probably not happen.

You are much more likely to get color transfer when damp fabric is left sitting in contact with other fabric for a period of time. Sometimes this will come out easily, sometimes it won't. sigh. (Of course having a QI in training have an accident on some fabrics is a whole 'nother story. After all one of the classic mordants/ preparation mixtures involves urine. sigh. )

Yes I have had a fabric or two bleed out into neighboring fabric on a very few occasions. But I like the look of the un-washed fabric in the class samples and such. sigh.

Have fun, Pati, > I'll be making a quilt for my niece and her husband, and it will have a v= ery

I surely hope it's a big mayonnaise jar, just in case I get really really bored with being pure. Polly

"Val"

Polly where was that spew warning ??? The first 3 sentences I thought you were writing about me, then I laughed 'cos I knew you weren't when I read the 4th. I have used dark brown in a top that became a doona cover and it didn't run.

Dee in Oz

I'm the other way around! I prewash my quilting fabrics, but not my clothing fabrics.

Lizzy