Blue glue disappointments

[lilah]

Can anyone please tell me the right way to get good results with Elmer's Blue Glue as a resist? I have tried three times, let it dry completely, kept the item well drained while dyeing and batching, and still I get faded, washed out looking results. What am I doing wrong?

TIA
Lilah

[dyedianadye]

Lilah, are you soaking your garments/fabric in soda ash and letting it dry before you apply the glue?

[lilah]

Bingo - I did one like that this weekend and it turned out perfect. Wish I had known before I ruined three garments!

Thanks.

Lilah

 

[tiedyejudy]

Lilah, bet you can overdye the 'ruined' ones and come up with success!  As for the Blue glue, I have only done one preliminary experiment on fabric so far, and need to play with it more.  I'm going to try using it on a screen next... will let you know how that works.

Judy

[lilah]

Thanks Judy, I can't wait to see what you come up with!

[pburch]

What do you think caused the problem with the disappointing glue experiments? Did you try presoaking them in soda ash after you drew the glue design? I've had good results with blue glue gel when adding the soda ash at the same time as the dye.

I had terrible results over a decade ago when I tried Deka Silk Resist and then presoaked my lovely design in soda ash. That washed it right out.

Paula

[lilah]

Hi Paula,

No, I've only tried soaking before applying the glue, or pouring the soda ash over and letting it drain. I was afraid that soaking after would dissolve the glue. Also, I'm wondering how to keep the glue from transferring to the back side of the project. That was part of the problem with 2 of them. I put wax paper in between the layers of one and it was messy but seemed to help.

Thanks!

Lilah

[mishoga]

Lilah,
I use foam boards between the layers of clothes. You can purchase them at any craft store. They are a little pricey for the larger ones but they work great when you are designing on one side only plus they don't bleed the dye to other areas. Plus you can cut the foam boards down to meet the sizes of garments, like a pant leg.
Namaste
Mish

[deb]

I've been known to use cardboard (I have a 3YO who likes to tear boxes apart for some reason ) The plastic lids that come with plastic sweater boxes also work well when I'm doing fabric painting.

[tiedyejudy]

I'm wondering how to keep the glue from transferring to the back side of the project. That was part of the problem with 2 of them. I put wax paper in between the layers of one and it was messy but seemed to help.

Thanks!

Lilah

I have several work boards made from foam board that I use for shirts, and I think one covered with wax paper or plastic wrap would be a good way to go.  For painting on thickened dyes, I have a padded work board (several, in fact!).  I cut them to fit inside the shirt, then use t-pins or spring clamps to stretch them so that the surface is taut, but not so taut that it buckles the board.

Judy 

[lilah]

Wow, I'm learning so much from this thread! Thanks for all of the suggestions!

[Luna]

Hi, I was wondering about the same method, can someone help me out with the steps. Thanks.