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Help! The dye is running on my silk
heathertyfeatherty Intermediate MO USA Member since 7/30/09 Posts: 20	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/2/11 7:03 PM I just received the most lovely piece of fabric from Fabric Mart today, a charcoal silk with threaded stripes throughout it. It had a very delicate feel to it, so instead of pre-washing, which I usually do with silk, I just put it in a warm/hot bath to shrink it up. As soon as the water hit it, the color starting running until the bathwater was black. I can't even seem to get it to run clear! What would you do with this? I have pictures on my blog post, here: http://feathertysews.blogspot.com/2011/04/i-need-help.html In thinking about it more, I think the 'feel' that seemed delicate was actually the dried dye in the fabric. I'm wondering if washing it on the handwash cycle would be a good idea?
mastdenman   Intermediate CA USA Member since 1/12/04 Posts: 5854	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/2/11 7:25 PM I would toss a 4" X 4" swatch into the washing machine to see what happens. You can then figure out if that will work for the whole piece or not, or if it will change the look and hand completely. ------ Marilyn January 2009 to January 2010 81 yards out and 71yards in January 2010 to the present 106.7 yards out and 146.5 yards in. January 2011 to the present: 47 yards out and 69 yards in.
sewsally   Intermediate WA USA Member since 8/18/02 Posts: 1206	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/3/11 11:46 AM I would try Retayne -- a color fixative for cottons. Or have it drycleaned first -- then test washing. I wouldn't use hot water!! Check out Betzina's Fabric Saavy for her recommendations. She says dark colors lose too much color when washed. She preshinks with a steam iron 1/2 inch above the fabric. Dry clean the finished garment.
HistoryStudent Member since 10/11/07 Posts: 39	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/3/11 12:52 PM Have you tried rinsing it in a lukewarm water bath that is made of 15% white vinegar and 85% water? That stops or at least greatly slows some of my red silks from running.
koo104 Advanced WA USA Member since 1/25/04 Posts: 418	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/3/11 2:14 PM Salt in the water is also a good way to set dye.

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