Revealing

I hadn't hope to see much of anything in the dark goo I washed out, but hey, there's something there. It's a moody looking piece, and I'll make it into something, Takeaway would be to know the final value of the color, and I knew it was going to present as light. 
 

Before the Wash, After the Wash

For a demonstration of what to expect after washout, this printed piece is left unwashed (left) and washed (right). What you see before washing is pretty much what to expect after washing, with a slightly lighter set of colors. Wet dye is always darker, and not the final color, but dry is likely to be the same.
 

Washout Again

The pile waited for me to get through the wash. It's unfinshed wash from Coupeville and Juneau's classes, and I'm just now sorting out what if "done" and what needs more. Then I'll sort again for the keepers and the webstore yards. But there's more to be done this week before I get there,

Slime Trail Wash Out

Sometimes there's a residue of shiny print paste still there after washing out printed fabric. You can see the lines in the edge of the yellow scrape. The only way I'm able to get it out is with a hot water wash, and synthropol and a quart of my mixed soda ash solution added to the wash. Good rinse and it's gone.
 

Boring but Reality

I'm taking a printing break, so my hot water tank can go back to low. The dial is painted with white-out so I can see it, and this is about 140 degrees. The washer is steaming on it's hot setting. I believe that some washers regulate that hot water so it doesn't scald. Not mine. 

 

Worm Moon

I'm never able to capture a full moon, and perhaps with the name "Worm Moon" it might be just as well. So, celebrate that celestial occurrence with a look at some other full round shape, filled with hand printed fabric. Next week is PRINTING!
 

It All Comes Out In the Wash

Those from the Santa Fe printing class might now be going through the wash phase. My first wash is cold water, heavy duty (long cycle) with synthrapol. Then it's the same with a warm, then hot. This first wash water is a doozy, but I know in the end all if fine. 
 

Waiting Patiently

It's been almost two weeks waiting for me to sort these prints and get them queued for the wash. I managed to print 19 yards in demonstrations during my week at Pro Chemical and Dye. Some will get more graphics when I start printing tomorrow. But some are ready for the wash.
 

Wash Out Frights

Two yards of printed material, all with black dye, are getting washed out in cold water to start. I've a large capacity tub and this is the wash water draining. Frightening, for sure! No problem, it went into a hot wash after this and seems fine. I'll do a sewing test to see for color fastness. 
 

Yes, It's that Dark

 No, I'm not talking current events, just the wash water from a load of printed fabrics. A bit concerning to see, but it does all wash out OK. Two colds, one hot, and I'm pretty much ready to hang out on my big tree for the world.

New Month, Full Moon

                                                                             

Following my trusty fabric guru's recommendations, I purchased a new top loading washer. I'm hoping the volume of water and long cycle will shorten the burden of washing-out my printed fabrics. Since tonight is a full moon, and I post each month something round and full, here's my new toy.

Washing Out After a Steam Bath

I'm trying a new method of washing excess dye from the cloth by steaming. First I'll wrap in a sheet of Pellon interfacing. We'll see how it goes in the steam bath.