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Swimsuit Fabric Fading
MelC Advanced Beginner NC USA Member since 1/11/06 Posts: 203	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/7/06 8:11 AM I bought a red bandana print in swimwear fabric. I made a swimsuit for my daughter and it has faded badly. I still have more of this fabric and was wondering if some of you may know of anything I can do to keep future projects from this fabric from fading. I saw a recent post about fading but it referred to cotton and/or natural fibers. Any help would be most appreciated!
kwpanthermom Advanced USA Member since 11/9/05 Posts: 416	Login to reply to this post In reply to MelC Like this post Date: 8/7/06 9:59 AM If the swimsuit is being worn in a pool, I doubt there's much you can do to prevent fading. My daughter swims competitively and nylon/lycra suits deteroriate (fading, breakdown of fibres where the fabric becomes thinner and weaker, permanent stretching, etc) in about 3 weeks of heavy use (daily practices). ------ kwpanthermom
rhoda bicycle Intermediate SK CANADA Member since 6/26/05 Posts: 1148	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/7/06 10:52 AM There are special soaps that can prolong the life of a suit, if used directly after swimming. If you can't find them at a sporting goods or swimwear store, use a swimmers shampoo designed to remove chlorine from hair. You may have to wash the suit out in a washroom sink at the pool right after taking it off to get the most benefit. At least rinse it in cool water immediately, and then wash it in the special soap/shampoo as soon as you get home. Unfortunately, red is one of those colors that fades the fastest. The only fabric that really stands up to heavy swimming pool/salt water use is the polyester Chloroblock or Chloroban. If the pattern is for 2-way stretch, you might be able to get away with polyester interlock. I used some as trim on a lycra suit once and it outlasted the suit. -- Edited on 8/7/06 10:53 AM --
TextileMike Intermediate ON Member since 2/7/03 Posts: 198	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/7/06 1:21 PM Do you know the fiber content? ------ Mike www.wazoodle.com
MelC Advanced Beginner NC USA Member since 1/11/06 Posts: 203	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/7/06 9:55 PM Lee Anne, I don't know the fiber content. I bought it from a local "hole in the wall" type of fabric shop. I made other suits for myself and my daughter from a royal blue swimwear print at the same shop and it is holding up well. I appreciate all the comments. The obvious really hit me reading the posts - I am putting it in chlorine when I go to the pool - duh!!! Guess I'll have to live with it. I'm still raising my kids and don't have the time or energy to baby something like a swimsuit. Thanks all!
rhoda bicycle Intermediate SK CANADA Member since 6/26/05 Posts: 1148	Login to reply to this post In reply to MelC Like this post Date: 8/9/06 7:58 AM Quote: MelC ...Guess I'll have to live with it. I'm still raising my kids and don't have the time or energy to baby something like a swimsuit. Thanks all! Yes, the care and feeding of lycra is tedious, which is why I switched to the poly Chloroblock - no babying required! (Easier to sew, as well) I just hold it under the shower while showering to rinse, squeeze out the water, toss it into the bag, hang it up when I get home. The closest I've come to wrecking one is when I accidently left it behind and the lifeguards tossed it into the washer and dryer with the swim instructor's towels. It looked a bit older when I got it back, and had little balls of towel lint stuck all over it, but the fit and stretch were unaffected. The biggest drawback is, they last so long I get bored with them before they ever wear out, plus they often outlast the lining fabric and elastic. Of course, lycra usually goes on sale at the end of summer, so it may be cheaper to buy the fabric at a deep discount, make up several suits at one time and just accept that they are only going to last 2-4 months.
MelC Advanced Beginner NC USA Member since 1/11/06 Posts: 203	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/9/06 8:32 PM Thanks for the info Rhoda! I'll have to look for that next time I'm in the market for swimsuit fabric. I don't know how the costs compares but it would be worth it to me to seek it out even if it is more expensive.
rhoda bicycle Intermediate SK CANADA Member since 6/26/05 Posts: 1148	Login to reply to this post In reply to MelC Like this post Date: 8/10/06 7:50 AM I know for sure Textile Outfitters sells it (they are now in the merchant gallery on this website) and it's a bit more expensive than lycra, but still much cheaper than buying a suit off the rack. It doesn't stretch quite as much so a little extra may need to be added to the seam allowances. Now, if only it came in prints.
a7yrstitch   Intermediate TX USA Member since 4/1/08 Posts: 4397	Login to reply to this post In reply to MelC Like this post Date: 1/28/12 4:17 PM Bumping for new swimwear sew a long. Future search term: swimwearthread ------ I have no idea what Apple thought I was saying so be a Peach and credit anything bizarre to auto correct.

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