Don't Let Bleeding Fabric Destroy Your Quilt

How To Do A Bleed Test On Your Cotton Quilting Fabric

How do you know if you have bleeding fabric? There is a bleed test you can do if you have the slightest doubt.

If you are working with reds, blues and purples pre-washing minimizes problems. These colors tend to bleed more easily. I use a great product called Retayne. You can find it in most quilt shops. It keeps the colors perfect. When I give a gift of a quilt, I also include a small bottle of the Retayne. My philosophy is – when in doubt, wash it out! If you are worried that your cotton fabric might bleed you can do a quick test:

1. Cut a small piece of your fabric to test. Soak the piece in the same temperature and soap you would use to wash your finished quilt in.
2. Let it sit for 30 minutes – (coffee might be nice about now). Did your water discolor? If not, do one more test – take the wet fabric and place it on white paper towel, flannel or batting. Did the color transfer? If not, you are good to go.
3. If you’re fabric colored your water, rinse out your fabric piece and start the test over. If your water discolors the 2nd time, I would not use this fabric in my quilt. There is a VERY good chance that it will bleed onto your other fabrics.
4. If you absolutely have to use your bleeding fabric, cut another test strip and run it through the test again while adding Retayne to your soapy water. This should keep it from bleeding further, if it works you are good to go.

If not, I would use the fabric, but I wouldn't place it near any lighter colors in case of bleeding fabric.

Most of the cotton quilting fabric you buy today is really wonderful, you will have minimal shrinkage and bleeding, but if you want to make sure definitely do you bleed test - nothing worse than bleeding fabric.

If you have had fading fabric, you might think of dyeing them but if it is going into a quilt, I would refrain, you never know the results of commercial clothing dyes.