Pre-washing Fabrics
I am often asked why I pre-wash my sewing fabrics. Everyone has a different opinion, but mine is that I want to pre-shrink it and I don't want to deal with my fabrics bleeding. Plus, if I treat my fabric as it will be treated after it is a quilt, I feel it will do better. See the information below about pre-washing with Retayne.
WASHING:
I do not put my fabrics in the washer to pre-shrink, unless the fabric is a large piece - over 2 yards. I simply fill my sink with hot water and Retayne, add the fabrics, wait 20 minutes, wring it out, rinse in cold water, wring out, shake out, and throw in a warm/hot dryer. I usually place the fabrics into the water one at a time, swishing each around to see if it bleeds a lot. By doing this in the sink, I can see if I have a "problem" fabric that bleeds profusely. If I do, I may rethink using it if I can't get the bleeding stopped. I also separate the darks and lights, because there will be some bleeding, even with Retayne. So, if my lights are sitting in the Retayne water with the darker bleeding fabrics, I could have a problem. I just don't want to risk it.
DRYING:
I wring out my fabrics and throw them into my dryer on warm.
PRESSING:
I only press the larger pieces when I get ready to cut them. I do not press my smaller pieces at all. However, the important thing about this is that I make sure I am going to be available when the dryer finishes. When the dryer beeps, I IMMEDIATELY go to the dryer, quickly take the fabrics out one at a time, and lay each flat on my washer (or another flat surface), smoothing flat if needed. If fat quarters, I lay them flat. If half yards, I fold them once so they are the same size as the fat quarters and lay them out flat with the single fold. You must work fast to get them out before they cool and wrinkle. By doing this, each fabric is laying flat as it cools. Once cool, I take the stack of flat fabrics to another room to fold up for storage. If a fabric needs some pressing, I do so as I use it, cutting my pieces and then pressing. I rarely need to press any small pieces I cut for my applique (unless it needs to be ironed with fabric finish).
WASHING:
I do not put my fabrics in the washer to pre-shrink, unless the fabric is a large piece - over 2 yards. I simply fill my sink with hot water and Retayne, add the fabrics, wait 20 minutes, wring it out, rinse in cold water, wring out, shake out, and throw in a warm/hot dryer. I usually place the fabrics into the water one at a time, swishing each around to see if it bleeds a lot. By doing this in the sink, I can see if I have a "problem" fabric that bleeds profusely. If I do, I may rethink using it if I can't get the bleeding stopped. I also separate the darks and lights, because there will be some bleeding, even with Retayne. So, if my lights are sitting in the Retayne water with the darker bleeding fabrics, I could have a problem. I just don't want to risk it.
DRYING:
I wring out my fabrics and throw them into my dryer on warm.
PRESSING:
I only press the larger pieces when I get ready to cut them. I do not press my smaller pieces at all. However, the important thing about this is that I make sure I am going to be available when the dryer finishes. When the dryer beeps, I IMMEDIATELY go to the dryer, quickly take the fabrics out one at a time, and lay each flat on my washer (or another flat surface), smoothing flat if needed. If fat quarters, I lay them flat. If half yards, I fold them once so they are the same size as the fat quarters and lay them out flat with the single fold. You must work fast to get them out before they cool and wrinkle. By doing this, each fabric is laying flat as it cools. Once cool, I take the stack of flat fabrics to another room to fold up for storage. If a fabric needs some pressing, I do so as I use it, cutting my pieces and then pressing. I rarely need to press any small pieces I cut for my applique (unless it needs to be ironed with fabric finish).
Retayne and Synthropol
Use for bleeding/dyes or stains.
There is nothing worse for handwork than having your fabrics bleed into one another. All that work and now you have a bleeding issue to deal with. Over the years the fabric manufacturers have become more and more lax in their work. Many are not setting their dyes, which means that the end user must deal with the problem. Of all the “fixes” out there, I find that Retayne works best and is permanent. I suggest all my students use Retayne on their fabrics before beginning a project. It will save on tears of frustration from bleeding dye.
If you have a bleeding problem after you have worked your block, you may use Synthrapol to remove it. It is a good idea to keep both on hand.
If you have a bleeding problem after you have worked your block, you may use Synthrapol to remove it. It is a good idea to keep both on hand.
Retayne
Retayne is inexpensive and very easy to use. The manufacturer instructs you to use it in your washing machine, however, if you do not have a top load machine, you will need to use a sink. If you use a sink, make sure you use rubber gloves to protect your skin from the chemicals. I do 20 minutes in the sink with HOT water, then wring out and rinse in COLD water.
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Synthrapol
If your fabric has already bled on your project, use Synthrapol to remove it. (See instructions on the site shown below.)
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