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.
 

Prep Time

The screens I used at Art Quilt Tahoe shipped home and I finally had a chance to get them in the sink for a good wash. Since I'm using water soluble print paste with dye, it will wash out at any time, and won't harm or clog the screen. I also size the screen to fit in my utility sink. 
 

Time Suck

I always underestimate the time it takes to wash out the printed fabric. After a few cold water rinses, then warm, then long soaks in hot (heater is cranked to ultimate) I still put through the washer, then sometimes even boil the fabric. Then a last wash, dry, iron. Sucky process.

Sort of a Sort

I'll boil these washed out prints three to a batch on the stove. So much process, so little time.

Washing Up and Out

Setting up a print studio is fairly simple. I don't measure, weigh, or fuss. But having a sprayer (pullout variety!) is essential to get the soy wax out of the screens. Seconds and I'm washed out. Mind you, I've cranked up the heat in the water, but it's the sprayer that does the trick.

Wash Day is Every Day

...or so it seems. I'm learning that to wait to wash (quantity is energy savings!) is not the better way to go. So, I'm plowing through my dozens of yards, and will note to wash out in smaller batches. 'Nuff said.

Better When Wet

The first lesson to learn is that the print and dye always always always looks great when first printed because it's wet. When dry, and before washing it's all right, but the washout is the true test for the color's vibrancy. This pile is just superb for color -- rich, varied, and strong. From the last day of printing.

Cool Enough to Boil

After hand washing, and letting the hand printed screened fabric soak most of the day, I put them in a pot of boiling water for 20 minutes to remove the last of the dye. I don't always do this, but did this time.

Two Bucket Night

I've piles of printed fabrics to wash, so tonight I tackled a dozen. After several rinses in warm soapy water, I've cranked up the water heater to max and will let them sit overnight in that hot water. Tomorrow I'll do again. Factory work!

Wash Away

There are many ways to wash out. I hand wash cold twice, hot twice, then soak overnight with hot. All using synthropol soap. Then the next morning a hot wash (maybe two) in my front loader with synthropol. Easy.

Out of the Wash

Finally washed out last week's experiments in my little "Surface Surprise" workshop. And the results are the same if washed within four hours or forty.Tons of fun, and now I want to make more.