Cure for crocking fabric?

i'd take the fabric to the director along with a plain piece of muslin and give it a good rub to see for him/herself what it is doing. also show him/her your hands afterwards, rub a bit on his/her arm/shirt/sumpin and see what he/she thinks about using that fabric. sure you are making the costumes but i dont see why you should also have to be washing it with all manner of things to stop it from running. that fabric was a bad choice from the word go. i'd ask for something else and if you can pick it out yourself, all the better. teach that director some smarts about fabric in the process. argh. good luck, j.

"Pam (Dragonfly)" wrote ... It's costume-making time again (with two kids in drama, it happens!). This time, three 18th-century outfits for the guys.

One of the fabrics I've been given to use crocks like crazy! Just from handling it to unfold, measure, and refold, my hands were medium blue. Obviously this will not do (and I can't believe the director didn't notice this, just picking it out!).

Is there anything I can do to get it to stop rubbing dye off on anything it comes in contact with? Washing a gazillion times with regular detergent? Wash with synthrapol (I have some of that already)? Wash with retayne (don't have any yet but can get some)? Hold my tongue just right and say magic words? Ask the director for a substitute fabric?

I have a feeling this dark blue will be medium blue when all is said and done....

Dragonfly (Pam)

Well, if you're going to try and save the fabric then you likely want some Retayne. Here's the product description:

Use this product to 'fix' dyes in commercially purchased solid colored cotton fabrics or clothing to prevent color bleeding during washing. Also use to add washfastness to your own dyeing. Particularly valuable to quilters. Use a teaspoon per yard of fabric in a hot soak for 30 minutes, then wash in hot water and Synthrapol to get out any remaining "fugitive" dye.

However, crocking can also be caused by improper dyeing. If that is the case, it may never stop bleeding.

I'd ask for a substitute and explain why - maybe let the director rub his/her hands on the fabric to really experience it :-)

marcella

Reminds me of a piece of batik I got at Joann's once. It was green, and after washing it, so was the tub of my washer and dryer. It took several attempts with rags towels to get the color off the appliances. I'd show the person that bought it what it's doing, and if they still want it-ask for money for a Laundromat-so you won't color your machines. Gen

I'd guess that director is attempting to work with low budget or nearly no budget. Of course, you don't want the production to be 18th century blue-face (whatever that is) but if I were you, I'd try the suggestions offered here. Maybe one of them will resolve the crocking. The show must go on. Polly

"Gen" Reminds me of a piece of batik I got at Joann's once. It was green, and

That's the truth, Polly! Last year they didn't get expected funding from the state and had to cut the district budget (only one high school) by $900,000. This year looks even tighter, since they just opened a second high school without any increase in funding, and still underfunded by the state. I have a feeling this was donated fabric...and to replace it I might have to buy something else, myself, which I really can't afford just this moment.

Oh well, I am going to pre-shrink everything else, first, so it doesn't turn blue, then I'll wash this and see if it's any better afterwards. I'll pick up some Retayne tomorrow. I need it anyhow for some upcoming projects of my own.

If it's still nasty, I'll find out what else might be available in the donation box...or get something else myself if I have to.

Dragonfly (Pam)

Back in my crazy years, I costumed a Mardi Gras krewe with fabric that cost $1 per bolt. It didn't crock but it surely was clingy. Wonder if you could get some financial assistance from some business that's going to benefit from your 18th century production? McDonald's? Lowe's? the Chamber of Commerce? Polly

Having read the rest of the thread I have to pop in and mention that you are pretty much screwed.

Retayne can help with excess dye, but when you have a fabric that is this badly off you are likely going to lose a LOT of color even with the retayne. Usually bleeding and such is not much of an issue with costumes unless your run is longer than a week. Basicly because most costumes usually don't get washed on a run that short.

You might be able to get it usable by tumbling it in the dryer, no heat, with some old towels (dry, or very slightly damp). Your best bet is going to be replaceing it, unless the director is OK with it being several shades lighter.

NightMist

They wash and store everything for re-use. These are the only three guys that need new costumes; the rest are just wearing some older costumes, altered to fit them. (Two, including my DS, are skinny minis 6' tall and there weren't any "old' costumes to fit them!)

Dragonfly (Pam) who will wash and dry and if necessary wash again - maybe using that blue dye she got awhile back to see if that will help, if the fabric lightens too much...

Darn, drat, and double-darn! The art store with dyeing supplies where I'd gotten my Synthrapol a few weeks ago doesn't carry Retayne. And of course neither does Hancock's.

Amazon.com carries it. I might just have to order something and wait for it, if the LQS near work doesn't carry it.

Dragonfly (Pam)

i thot you could get it in the supermarket in usa? hey i dont live there so what do i know. might be worth a few phone calls to check different stores before you head out to check each one. j.

"Dragonfly" wrote ... Darn, drat, and double-darn! The art store with dyeing supplies where I'd gotten my Synthrapol a few weeks ago doesn't carry Retayne. And of course neither does Hancock's.

Amazon.com carries it. I might just have to order something and wait for it, if the LQS near work doesn't carry it.

Dragonfly (Pam)

Found it at the LQS. They didn't even know they had it! The gal was saying, "all we have is this quilt wash..." and I looked up and there it was, on the top shelf, two bottles of Retayne. I bought one, only a little more expensive than it would have been through Dharma, and I didn't have to pay shipping. :-)

This is the LQS about a block from work and definitely on my way home, so I didn't have to waste time driving all over.

OH! And an hour or so afterwards, talked to the director. I'll be subbing another fabric so I don't need it for the costume. Leaves more for the dying project I'll be doing in the next few weeks.....!

Thanks everyone.

Dragonfly (Pam)

good news on all counts then, Pam. j.

"Dragonfly" wrote ... Found it at the LQS. They didn't even know they had it! The gal was saying, "all we have is this quilt wash..." and I looked up and there it was, on the top shelf, two bottles of Retayne. I bought one, only a little more expensive than it would have been through Dharma, and I didn't have to pay shipping. :-)

This is the LQS about a block from work and definitely on my way home, so I didn't have to waste time driving all over.

OH! And an hour or so afterwards, talked to the director. I'll be subbing another fabric so I don't need it for the costume. Leaves more for the dying project I'll be doing in the next few weeks.....!

Thanks everyone.

Drag> i thot you could get it in the supermarket in usa?

Pam: You might want to warn the actors to wear 'old' undergarments, in case the color runs from sweat. Pat