Have you ever had to throw fabric away?
I’m not talking about fabric scraps and little bits and pieces… I’m talking about larger pieces.
Even yardage.
I recently have been testing out a quilt block and one piece of fabric began giving me issues.
So, I decided to toss it in the trash can.
Why Does Fabric Bleed?
Fabric bleeding in quilting occurs when the dye used to color the fabric releases from the fibers and spreads onto other fabrics or surfaces. This can happen during ironing or washing, especially if the fabric is not colorfast.
The main reason for fabric bleeding is the quality of the dye and how it was applied to the fabric. Poorly dyed fabrics or those with unstable dyes are more prone to bleeding. Additionally, certain types of fabric, like batiks or hand-dyed fabrics, may be more susceptible to bleeding due to their dyeing process.
How to Avoid Bleeding Fabric
To avoid fabric bleeding in quilting, it’s essential to prewash your fabrics before using them in a project. This helps to remove excess dye and reduces the risk of bleeding during subsequent washes. Use cold water and a mild detergent when prewashing, and consider adding a color catcher sheet to absorb any excess dye released from the fabric.
When ironing fabric, use a low heat setting and avoid steam if possible, as heat and moisture can exacerbate bleeding. If you’re concerned about bleeding, test a small piece of fabric first by pressing it with a white cloth to see if any dye transfers.
If bleeding does occur during washing, immediately remove the fabric from the wash and rinse it thoroughly with cold water to stop the bleeding. Then, rewash the fabric separately with a color catcher sheet to trap any remaining dye.
By prewashing your fabrics and taking precautions during ironing and washing, you can minimize the risk of fabric bleeding in quilting projects and ensure that your finished quilt remains vibrant and beautiful for years to come.
Does Quality of Fabric Matter?
Typically fabrics have their dyes set in the process of printing and dying of the fabric yardage.
There are times when the cheaper yardage isn’t done the same or have the same quality as other yardage.
I find when issues begin, it’s more than likely the fabric is thinner as well. That’s the big red flag – thinner fabric usually will give you issues other than the dye.
You can check out my previous chat about using quality fabric (no video) but it does go over how you can avoid quilts falling apart.
I was testing a quilt block for an upcoming pattern – and thought I would use something from the stash that has been sitting there for a bit.
While it seems like this one piece is the only one that gave me issues right off – just by ironing it! I was kind of suspicious of the red and white check print as well. That joined the other in the trash as well as the blue flower print (the small print) which was similar in being thin and it just didn’t have the right feel. It felt very similar to the red print fabric.
So.
I gave the fabric to the trash can.
I don’t want it in the sewing room any longer.
If I keep it and just set it aside – more than likely I will forget about the issues until it’s too late to adjust.
Plus, what would I really use this fabric for if it’s going to begin with bleeding all over the background white?
I guess I could have washed the yard that I had in the washer – but in the end, I really didn’t even want to deal with the shrinkage and how many times I would have to wash it to get it to rinse out clear.
Why I threw fabric away
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why does fabric bleed?
Color bleeding – this happens when fabric gets wet and dye is extracted from its fibers.
Does Dawn clean up fabric bleeding?
Dawn Ultra Pure dish detergent – A lot of people use Dawn dish detergent for washing bleeding fabrics. You can see that this worked great. The fabrics are the same colors as the original swatches.
How do you stop fabric from bleeding?
Some people add salt to a load of clothes to set the color, while some swear by the idea that adding distilled white vinegar to the wash or rinse water will set the dye.
Related Ideas & Projects
Becky Jorgensen is the creative quilter behind Patchwork Posse, the Patchwork Planner and her online quilt group Patchworkers Plus. You can find her patterns in books, magazines, and her quilt membership. Gather your quilting supplies, organize your sewing space, explore the process of disappearing quilt blocks, or finish a free quilt pattern. I'll help you use what you have, finish what you start and make your quilting journey fun!
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I’m really sorry your threw the fabric in the trash to end up in the landfill..There are many groups, guilds, that have people that use fabric scraps to make into pet beds for the animal shelters. Some homeless animal could have the comfort of a washable, soft, comforting place to relax in their concrete cubicle. If any of you belong to a quilting or sewing group, start to save the scraps for the fur friends who could greatly appreciate it. I’m sure you can find a group who will be happy to get them.
here’s the thing. why would I pass this fabric on only to frustrate others with it? It bleeds red – and it wasn’t even wet yet. I totally use my scraps and I do offer them to others to use as well. I don’t feel bad about tossing this piece. I even think it would probably be quickly degrade as the quality is not good either… a lot quicker than other things I see at the landfill for sure.
Even quality fabric can bleed. I have had a red and also a black print from Moda bleed, a lot!. Also a Wilmington Red fabric. All fabrics should be tested.
Becky, the amount of fabric you threw away won’t make a difference. Even if all fabric stores did the same, it wouldn’t match hospital waste. IMHO
totally true!
agreed!