I decided that for my April journaling challenge I will experiment with discharge. I have only played with bleach a tiny bit in the past and had always wanted to experiment some more. So now is that experimenting time. Off to the local quilt shop I went looking for some solid cottons. Silly me had no idea how hard it would be to find them...
I settled on four dark colors I thought would probably discharge well.
So far I am not too impressed with the way this dark brown is discharging, but I do like the teal green that is making an appearance. I would like some more drama please!
For a few days I will experiment with leaving the dishwasher detergent and bleach pen on longer, and putting on more layers. I am looking forward to trying out some shibori like attempts at my little squares soon too. Oh and my new thermofax screens will probably work well also. Any suggestions and tips are welcome! What can I do to achieve more drama?
13 comments:
You lucked out on getting them to bleach to white. But try Jacquard's discharge paste--I can get things discharged with it that I can't with bleach. And try prints--you can get some cool results that way.
Loved your posting. I have a bleach pen just waiting to be tried - but haven't taken the time to find out the specifics of using it - i.e. how long to leave it on the fabric, and whether I need to do anything more than just wash it out. Please keep posting your experiements....
I did a lot with this. The bleach pens work best if they are new. Don't bother with the ones at the dollar store, though. I had VERY good luck using toilet bowl cleaner with bleach. Stinky, though. That can be used to refill the bleach pens when you get tired of paying so much for them. I used it to stamp images with pears cut in half. A fabric conservator nearly died when I told her about this, though. The quiltart list would probably plots and recommend anti-chlor or something very expensive. I used vinegar and water and it is just fine. If it dissolves in 50 years it won't be my problem!!! lol.
Never, never, never use vinegar to neutralize bleach. Why does this persist in going around. Use antichlor which is used in fish aquariums. OK, off my soap box! You got great results. I love discharging.
oh, it also helps to work in a hot or warm room. that makes the discharge go faster.
I found that I had the best results with toilet bowl cleaner. I don't know why, it just worked well. Also, keep you eye out for dark batik fabrics. I found some bright colors overdyed with black and when discharged the bright colors came forward - wonderful! You can also mix paints with Jacquard discharge paste. I have yet to try this or DeColourant, but it adds color as you discharge. Your results are wonderful. I look forward to seeing your April experiments! Have a beautiful weekend.
Hartsdale Fabrics usually has a good selection of solids. Downstairs, in the back.
This is a perfectly unknown world to me and everything I see and read is so interesting and lovely!
I ahve long been fascinated with this process and will really enjoy following along. When I first tried bleach I didn't even know that unless you washed the fabrics first to remove the sizing the bleach would not even work!! i will be thrilled to learn along with you!!!
Gerri is very right about not using vinegar with bleach. The resulting chemical reaction creates deadly cholirne gas and could KILL YOU!! DO NOT DO THIS!!!!
Just so YA know!!!
I thought you were supposed to rinse after with a 50/50 peroxide=water mix to neutralize the bleach...
Enjoying your monthly experiments!
Oops! The above comment was from me! (my daughter is Chelsea...)
I've so wanted to try this so I'm enjoying seeing your experiments first. I have lots of batiks on hand, so maybe I'll give that a doodle tomorrow! I'll let you know!
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