So, if I'm painting.......

[Sevda]

So here is what I'm trying, and I'm wondering which order I should be doing things. I'm starting with a black cotton/lycra made into pants. I then bleached a design. I am using bleach stop after that. Then I am painting the procion dye onto the design, then using after fix. What I'm wondering is, if I used the soda ash on the entire pant before I dyed it (it would save the after fix step), would it interfere with the bleach? The fabric that I got, bleaches fabulously!! When I figure out how to post a picture, I will.

[Sevda]

I posted a picture into the gallery. Suggestions and helpful hints are appreciated.

[pburch]

Soda ash won't interfere with bleach, but bleach will interfere badly with dyeing. You have to get the bleach out before you add the dye.

The order I would use would be bleach, then rinse, then anti-chlor, then rinse, then presoak in soda ash, then apply Procion MX type dye. Soda ash is cheaper than sodium silicate (Dharma's AfterFix). Or you can mix soda ash with the dye, but then you have to use the dye up quickly.

(I hope the Lycra does not mind the bleach. Spandex can be pretty picky stuff. It might age more poorly due to its bleach exposure.)

Paula

[Sevda]

I wonder if I got it in really quick into the antichlor  after I did the bleach.....hmmmm. I did'nt notice anything, but I obviously the deterioration won't be noticeable right away.

[pburch]

All the sources that say to never touch Lycra with bleach, in the laundry, are completely ignorant about the existance of anti-chlor, so there's some reason for hope.

Paula

[Sevda]

hmmm......that is hopeful news. 

[Sevda]

Just an update...things seem to be going ok.  :-DJust wondering if anyone has thoughts about the length of time left in the antichlor? After I paint with the bleach, I have been soaking in antichlor right away, but I leave it in until I finish the next one. (maybe an hour) Does it have any bad side effects if left in too long? Anybody? The dharma book says to leave it in about 15 min.