Monday, December 23, 2019

Prewash or Not?



Do I prewash?  Yes.  I wash all fabric that comes into the house with Synthrapol to help the batiks get rid of any excess dye.  Does it always work?  Nope.  Sometimes it needs more than one soak.  That's why I always check my fabrics before starting an important project like a show quilt.  If you ever get in trouble Google search Margaret Solomon Gunn's blog post about bleeding.  It does the trick.  I've had to use it....


HOWEVER, I do not prewash my Island Batik Ambassador fabrics.  Washing precuts can be a pain so I choose to leave all of it unwashed and wash later.  When doing this I put Synthrapol in as well as color catchers and I haven't had a problem.  I've been an ambassador for 4 years and no problems.  Does that mean there never will be?  Nope.  That's why I always  CHECK before using a fabric if it's a really, really important project.

Image result for synthrapol picture"

I hope you get to quilt today!
Suzy

4 comments:

  1. Ah, Ms. Gunn learned this from Vicki Welsh (google "save my bleeding quilt") which is where I learned how to keep my hand dyed fabrics from bleeding.

    ReplyDelete
  2. If you want to save a little money switch to Dawn. I tested it against Synthrapol and it surprisingly worked better! Here's the link to the original article https://www.colorwaysbyvicki.com/save-my-bleeding-quilt.html#/

    ReplyDelete
  3. Okay, so question. I have Synthrapol and have never used it. I have a front loading washer - can I use it in there? Now I need to go re-read Vicki's bleeding quilt tips, too. I have a batik that bleeds and bleeds - I've washed it multiple times.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I don't generally prewash, but I don't make show quilts so I have decided that the bleeding will be part of the charm. I do have Synthrapol but I haven't used it yet. I should on some of the clothes I buy that tend to bleed.

    ReplyDelete