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Member since 3/3/06
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Posted on: 11/29/10 5:26 PM ET
I am working on a blue wool jacket for my daughter from a melton that I got from Fabric.com last year. It was advertised as a Ralph Lauren fabric. I'm sewing with it, and look down at my hands, and they are covered in dye!

It's 100% wool, so I don't want to wash it. I've never had a wool fabric do this to me before. It's gorgeous fabric, but I don't want to put in a significant amount of time and find out that she can't wear it because it bleeds on everything. Is there anything that I can do to save this project?
  
Member since 7/19/03
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Posted on: 11/29/10 6:34 PM ET
I think that a fabric that 'crocks' is useless as a garment. Evidently the dye wasn't set right when it was applied; or an incorrect type of dye was used. I think it will rub off on everything every time it's worn. (Everything, meaning her hands, light colored blouses, underwear, etc.)

Personally I'd trying washing it; if that didn't remove the excess dye, then I'd toss it.

Sorry.... :(
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blog: goodworks1.wordpress.com
  
Member since 4/3/10
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Posted on: 11/29/10 7:03 PM ET
I wonder if it's too late to repurpose it. You could wash it and felt it and make mittens.

Too bad, what a disappointment.
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Barb
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Thomas Edison
"I not only use all the brains I have, but all I can borrow." Woodrow Wilson
  
Member since 4/20/09
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Posted on: 11/29/10 9:08 PM ET
I'd wash it in Synthrapol to set the dye, see if that works, and keep going. Melton makes such gorgeous coats.

If that doesn't stop the bleeding, then contact Fabric.com, and demand an adjustment or refund. After all, they do tell you to wash for pretreatment, but if the washing doesn't do it, then the coat material is useless.

If that fails, and you still want to use the material for a coat, then take it to an expert cleaners for them to treat it, or start with that step, and follow their advice. If they tell you it cannot be saved, make sure you get them to sign a statement to that effect, and let Fabric.com know of the problem.

I got some melton that did the same thing, and one wash and set with Synthrapol and all was well. Note: I am not sure of the spelling, and the bottle is under the sink which means I can't bend down to retrieve it due to pain issues today, but if you need more information, shoot me a PM and I'll get you whatever information I can to help you out.
  
Member since 12/10/05
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Posted on: 11/29/10 9:29 PM ET
There's a difference between bleeding and crocking.

Bleeding is when dye runs when in contact with water - and fabrics which are prone to it are labelled "dry-clean only" because the manufacturers know the dye is not water-fast.

Crocking is what you are experiencing - when dye particles rub off on whatever touches the fabric. This usually happens with pigment dyes, and for some fabrics it will stop after the first cleaning as the cleaning removes all loose dye particles. However, for some fabrics it never stops.

The only way to find out which is the case for your fabric, is to clean it - either by washing, or dry-cleaning, whichever is appropriate - and see if it still crocks.
  
Member since 3/3/06
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Posted on: 11/29/10 10:03 PM ET
Thanks for the advice! I have never heard the term "crocking" before.

Vireya, I put a small remnant in some water to see how blue it would turn the water, and it didn't turn the water a different color at all. So, it must be the crocking. Then, I pressed the wet piece of wool in between a white terry towel and it didn't turn the towel blue at all either. It seems to just be coming off on my hands. I think that I'll go ahead and finish the garment, and then take it to then take it to the cleaners to see what happens.
  
Member since 3/3/06
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Posted on: 11/29/10 10:08 PM ET
In reply to fiddlinglizzie
Thanks, Fiddling Lizzie, for this product info. I googled it and found it at Dharma trading company. Looks like something I should have on hand. However, I have already cut out all of my pieces for this coat, and it is going to be close fitting, so I think I'll try the dry cleaning route first, as I don't want to risk any shrinkage yet.
  
Member since 6/30/05
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Posted on: 11/29/10 10:17 PM ET
Annie, was this the Ralph Lauren red plaid that was on sale for $1.95 or $1.99? (at the same time the Vera Wang fabric was on sale) If so, I did wash it, with great results. I think I would have washed it on cool and then line dried.
Helen
-- Edited on 11/29/10 10:17 PM --
  
Member since 3/3/06
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Posted on: 11/29/10 10:53 PM ET
In reply to sewbehind
Helen,
No, it was a solid blue-grey melton fabric- very thick. One of the few times that I didn't order it from the $1.95 section!
  
Member since 6/24/07
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Posted on: 11/30/10 2:14 AM ET
If its already shedding dye it can't be used as it is, sadly. I think I'd try gently washing the pieces and putting vinegar (the white stuff) in the final rinse.
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