Fabric Bleeding Can you help

[Diane S.]

I have just finished the flying geese on this quilt. While I was lightly pressing them, I spayed a little water on one (the fabric was wrinkled). It looks like the fabric behind (red) bled thru. I used a Q-tip with a little vinegar and appears I stopped the and removed the bleeding on the white fabric.
I am making 6 of these quilts for the girls in our family for Christmas. I am afraid some my use this for a table topper so will need to be washed on occasion. Can I prevent any more bleeding if I soak the quilt top in a vinegar water solution? I though to do that before batting and batting so would just be the top.
I would appreciate any help, and I know I am kicking myself for not washing before putting into a quilt.
Kathryn Brooks

[Susan N.]

Hi, you could try washing the quilt with Synthrapol, which is what is used when dyeing to remove excess dye from fabric and fleece. Not sure if you can buy this from a shop. I got mine on ebay. Most good shops will sell colour catcher sheets or similar.
Red is the worst colour for fabric bleed, closely followed by black. so I always test for dye fastness on them. You don't have to wash the whole piece before you start a project. I generally snip a small square, measure it, and then give it a good scrubbing in really hot soapy water. After drying this will not only show if the dye has run but if the fabric has shrunk.
Hope this helps, Suzy.

[Rita C.]

Yes synthrapol is the answer. I don't know where you are but it is possible to find it in lots of places, just google it. I had a quilt that had a cream coloured background and a cranberry coloured border fabric. I used synthrapol and nothing bled. And if I am going to wash a quilt when I have finished making it I do so in synthrapol.

[Betty J.]

http://vickiwelsh.typepad.com/field_trips_in_fiber/2014/01/bleeding-quilts-please-read-this.html There was an interesting discussion about fabric bleeding on Facebook yesterday that highlighted this very excellent blog about fixing fabric bleeds. Thought you all might like to see it.