Preparing silk

[nemi]

Should I wash my silk before dyeing them?  I have bought blanks from Thaisilks.  Not having to pre-wash would mean saving time, but then again I really want the dyeing to be succesful...

[tiedyejudy]

Just as a precaution, I always pre-wash anything I plan to dye, and I do not use fabric softeners.  There is always a possibility that the item you are going to dye has sizing on it, or oils from the skin of people who pack it for shipping.  Better to take the time than to regret not having done it after you dye and discover flaws that could have been washed out.  Also, many people prefer to pre-wash using synthrapol.  I have always used my regular laundry detergent, but either method will help to ensure a clean fabric to dye on.

Judy

[Kathy]

Depending on what I am doing I may or may not prewash. In general I do not though. Wh/ come to think of it is odd b/c I always prewash cotton blanks.

Kathy