I've done a test to tell if my fabric is sufficiently colorfast. That is: will it bleed color when wetted or washed. I've put the printed fabric on top, wool batting in middle, then white solid fabric on bottom. Sew a few rows, wet with spray bottle or soak, and let dry. Bleed through is no good.
Pat - what do you do then? is it sufficient to just wash several times to get rid of excess due? this has happened to me in the past and I never knew what to do next.
ReplyDeletexx/kathy
Kathy, I replied below...
DeleteHi Kathy,
ReplyDeleteI know, I know! I'm supposed to be knowledgeable on this, but after years, I still can't get it right. I've taken to boiling the fabrics (after scalding soaks, and a hot wash) and still can't figure it out. Though I am more comfortable that they won't run. I did find one finished piece I blocked by spraying with water, and it ran. I ended up putting the finished quilt back in a hot water wash. No problem there, even with wool batting. I may never know the answer to this.
Vicki Welsh has a great tutorial "Save My Bleeding Quilt" on her blog. Colorwaysbyvicki.com.
ReplyDeleteI've adapted her process of long soak of fabric and have had good results getting excess dye out of my hand dyes. Hope this helps.