Completed HST projects

[Jo H.]

Kathy,

I'm sorry about the bleeding. I took a hand embroidery class recently where we use threads that are known for bleeding horribly. The teacher had a very thorough discussion about how to fix it. As others have recommended, always use Shout sheets. However, she does something that I'd never heard before which is wet a Shout sheet and put it right on the area. She then covers a brick or other heavy object with clear wrap and sits it on top of the shout sheet.

She told us that she may have to do this several times and it could take up to a week. She showed one piece that took 5 shout sheets but it was beautiful and no bleeding. She's fearless about washing her beautiful embroideries and never pre-washes. She's only had one item that she hasn't been able to get the stain out.

Good luck.

[Jo H.]

Kathy,

I'm sorry about the bleeding. I took a hand embroidery class recently where we use threads that are known for bleeding horribly. The teacher had a very thorough discussion about how to fix it. As others have recommended, always use Shout sheets. However, she does something that I'd never heard before which is wet a Shout sheet and put it right on the area. She then covers a brick or other heavy object with clear wrap and sits it on top of the shout sheet.

She told us that she may have to do this several times and it could take up to a week. She showed one piece that took 5 shout sheets but it was beautiful and no bleeding. She's fearless about washing her beautiful embroideries and never pre-washes. She's only had one item that she hasn't been able to get the stain out.

Good luck.

Well, after I use up my Woolite dye magnet sheets, I'm going to try the Shout Sheets and Synthrapol! And...JoJo, the covered brick idea above is wonderfully creative and workable! This is a great solution to keep on hand for later possible use! :lol:

Question for Margo: Do you think not using hot water with Synthrapol the first time makes the product less effective? I've never used this product and pre or post-washing in hot water scares me...alot! :mrgreen:

[Margo C.]

This link is from Dharma Trading Company about the product. THEY are the ones who recommend the hot water!

http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/2127-AA.shtml

[Margo C.]

Of course, they are talking about just washing freshly dyed fabric!

We are dealing with assembled fabrics that may react differently, not to mention a batting that will also shrink!

No lifeguard on duty!!! Proceed at your own risk!!!

[Margo C.]

This link is from Dharma Trading Company about the product. THEY are the ones who recommend the hot water!

http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/2127-AA.shtml

Thanks Margo! I checked out this site a second time and read further that the manufacturer also has developed a more eco-friendly product called Dharma Professional Textile Detergent which is a good alternative/substitute for Synthrapol without all the alcohol fumes. After testing, it had the same results as Synthrapol, is used the same, costs less, and you only need to use 1/8 cup for front loading machines. Sounds great to me and I'm going to buy this product and test it myself.

And, yes, there are many factors beyond our control when making a quilt from so many different resources and techniques used: i.e., different dying processes used on the fabrics, prewashing, not prewashing, using starch or fabric sizing to stabilize the fabrics, how hot the dryer was or if the fabric was air-dried, and the type of batting used, just to name a few.

Kathy, this is an unfortunate experience you shared with us, and I hope you can find a solution to removing the remaining discoloration. I think Rosemary's comment has a lot of wisdom in it too. Thank you for sharing this information with us so we all can learn to be more aware of how to treat our fabrics when we get involved in this kind of project. I'm definitely now going to rethink how I'm going to handle my HSTs before I remove the papers and sew them together. Behind every cloud, I truly believe there is a silver lining.

[Margo C.]

This link is from Dharma Trading Company about the product. THEY are the ones who recommend the hot water!

http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/2127-AA.shtml

Margo, I did check out this website twice and read that their product should be used with hot water. My question about whether it was effective the second time Kathy used it with hot water was asked because it sounded like she might not have used hot water the first time. That's all. I was wondering if that might have had anything to do with the bleeding on her quilt. And, yes, I totally agree there's no lifeguard on duty with this kind of a global project! :wink:

[Paula Z.]

Kathy, I am so sorry to hear about your bleeding problem. It also means you will not be the only one. Now I am afraid to wash my quilt someday. I will do it carefully. I will also be sure to keep prewashing all of my fabrics in the future. I have always been afraid not to anyway.

[Margo C.]

Shirley, I'm really not sure how the temperature of the first wash affects the outcome. I can tell you that I am not particularly careful about washing my quilts like a lot of people are. I think that since I'm using cotton fabrics (and battings) they should be able to stand up to a regular wash cycle, just like my regular cotton clothes.
Think jeans and khakis and tee shirts and golf shirts!
But, my quilts are not for show! I make them to be used up and loved to death and I like the softness that comes with lots of use.
I know that people cringe, but I seldom prewash my fabrics unless it's requested, like for this exchange!!!

My quilts are washed in hot water with Orvus Paste (after the first wash with Synthrapol has removed any excess dye) then dried in the dryer, because that's the look I like!

If you want your quilts to look crisp and new and never used, you will need a different approach!

[Margo C.]

Kathy, since you have a pink triangle on the back how about a bit of cheeky surface embroidery or drawing with a fabric pen and turn it into your own Sorting Hat motif? :wink: 8)

[Margo C.]

Kathy, since you have a pink triangle on the back how about a bit of cheeky surface embroidery or drawing with a fabric pen and turn it into your own Sorting Hat motif? :wink: 8)

:lol: Luv it!! :lol:

[Margo C.]

Kathy, since you have a pink triangle on the back how about a bit of cheeky surface embroidery or drawing with a fabric pen and turn it into your own Sorting Hat motif? :wink: 8)

Way too funny :mrgreen: ! So cool 8) ! And I just l-o-v-e it :lol: !

[Margo C.]

Shirley, I'm really not sure how the temperature of the first wash affects the outcome. I can tell you that I am not particularly careful about washing my quilts like a lot of people are. I think that since I'm using cotton fabrics (and battings) they should be able to stand up to a regular wash cycle, just like my regular cotton clothes.
Think jeans and khakis and tee shirts and golf shirts!
But, my quilts are not for show! I make them to be used up and loved to death and I like the softness that comes with lots of use.
I know that people cringe, but I seldom prewash my fabrics unless it's requested, like for this exchange!!!

My quilts are washed in hot water with Orvus Paste (after the first wash with Synthrapol has removed any excess dye) then dried in the dryer, because that's the look I like!

If you want your quilts to look crisp and new and never used, you will need a different approach!

Thanx, Margo! I usually don't preshrink my fabrics for wall hangings, but I do prewash them for quilts. Years ago I had one green fabric and one dark blue with white glitttery snowflakes on it b-l-e-e-d...and they were from upscale manufacturers! It just depends a lot on how the finished quilt will be used.

[Patti P.]

Kathy, I'm like Margo, I rarely prewash and I've never had a bleed. But I'm not as prolific as other folks and just haven't turned out alot of quilts. Anyway, I wanted to thank you for giving us a heads up so I can get some Synthrapol and color sheets as a precaution when I wash my quilt. I wish you hadn't been the test bunny though and hoping you find a good fix.

Patti

[Kathryn S.]

Hi all, I tried some spot removal with Synthrapol and color catchers. Thanks to all the good advice! I pinned a folded color catcher to the front of the quilt where the bleeding was on the back, then q-tipped some synthrapol onto the dampened area, mushed it around, "rinsed" with wet paper towels, and blotted heavily. The two areas I tried are still drying and I can't tell if it is working. The color catcher sheets on the front have picked up a LOT of dye from the offending triangles. The treatment did remove some bleeding from the front of the quilt near one of the bleeding triangles.

I'll just warn in general terms: Batiks, in dark blue, pink and turquoise may bleed.

I'll keep you posted.
Kathy

[Margo C.]

Thanks for the update Kathy! I hope you can get all the excess dye out!