08 November 2017

Change in plan


I thoroughly sprayed the front and back of the fabric with soda ash in a pump sprayer,  then neatly folded it between sheets of plastic bin liners cut down the sides. That gave me the "length" of bag needed to cover the 4' width of the table. As usual, I took no pictures.

 Under normal conditions (electricity), I would have waited an hour then hung the fabric on the line to dry - YES, with the thickened dye and soda ash still on it. This is a trick I learned a few years ago when making fine lines with thickened black dye in a fine tipped bottle. When bone dry I would have washed it - under normal conditions. Instead I folded the packet of fabric and slipped it into a plastic shopping bag let it sit there for three days until the power came back on.

We had out power restored about dinner time last night and we so elated (yes, I did a happy dance on the deck) that we just luxuriated in the warmth and watched the news to find out what had happened in the world while we lived like cave men. This morning, overcast  and blowy, I pegged it out to catch the wind and dry out a bit. It was almost dry when I threw it in the washer (thank you Central Maine Power) and washed the piece in cold water with Synthropol (Prosypol form ProChem).




When it came out it was time for the boiling bath to remove the soy wax - very easy. The Maine Eventers know all about these processes.



Wax still on above but 


boiling water and Ivory dish washing liquid and the soy wax was dispersed.

Then it was into the washer again for a hot wash. Washed and dried...























It is so dark and dreary outside, I may make another book after I sew together a baby sweater for my new grand nephew.

8 comments:

  1. Fun! I was always taught to batch under plastic for 24-48 hours before laundering... don't remember if that's how I really did it, but your way seems to work just fine. Glad your power is back... I would be a little hard put to keep my hubby entertained if he didn't have his TV and computer... me, I could turn on a camp light and read! ;-)

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  2. Good that the power is back and you can get back to normal life... Great fabric dyeing you did, just beautiful!

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    1. I am going to do some regular deconstructed pieces today.

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  3. Fantastic, what beautiful prints! I am absolutely impressed with your work!

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    1. Thanks Carmina. You never know how it will come out.

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  4. Beautiful! And a question: What's the goal of drying the printed fabric before washout? If it's to prevent backstaining, I will definitely try it!

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    1. I will definitely try this out! The only other tactic I've heard for preventing backstaining is to cold soak in ice water, but that is a pain to do.

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