Sensational Strippers Exchange

[Barbara A.]

I prefer to use the vinegar method as well. It has worked for me. When I was doing fabric dyeing and using the Retayne and Synthropol products, I read on the label of one (or both - don't have them any longer to double check) to avoid breathing fumes. They are not friendly to our body, not to mention the environment. Give vinegar a chance to do the job for you. I also can't imagine giving a quilt to someone to snuggle up to that has the residue of those chemicals in it. I wonder how many washings it takes to completely eliminate it.
Let's come up with some safer alternatives = challenge for us all *)*

[Jocelyn W.]

Just visited the Dharma Trading web site (curious to see if they would sell direct -yes) and noted the warning below:

How to use Retayne
Please note: The new front loader energy efficient washing machines do not supply enough water to properly treat your fabrics with Retayne. You will need to use the Hand wash method below or a top loader in your local laundromat.


I've gotten away with a warm water wash using vinegar and detergent up to this point. Tempting fate further is likely unwise, so, I'll be treating the exchange bits and strips to a more hi tech bath. This has all been too much fun to spoil the final product. Another lesson finally sinks in!

[Jocelyn W.]

How about our different opinions?! I've a big grin on as I was writing as 'Fiberwoman' was posting. In the past I've washed because of allergies and then wash when the project is complete. Don't love the chemical baths, just a choice for this project.

[Margo C.]

Aren't we fortunate to have choices!

[Margo C.]

Just visited the Dharma Trading web site (curious to see if they would sell direct -yes) and noted the warning below:

How to use Retayne
Please note: The new front loader energy efficient washing machines do not supply enough water to properly treat your fabrics with Retayne. You will need to use the Hand wash method below or a top loader in your local laundromat.


I've gotten away with a warm water wash using vinegar and detergent up to this point. Tempting fate further is likely unwise, so, I'll be treating the exchange bits and strips to a more hi tech bath. This has all been too much fun to spoil the final product. Another lesson finally sinks in!

I agree that it's an unusual situation with the exchange, not knowing whether or not the fabric has been prewashed! I can more easily wash the strips before using them, but the HST's from the other exchanges would be a bugger to wash and press and still have something to work with. I'll probably take my chances using vinegar and color catchers on the final quilt, rather than Retayne, and we'll compare results Or........maybe I'll just never wash the exchange quilt. :lol:

[Barbara A.]

So what are these color catcher sheets and where do you get them?

[Margo C.]

Barbara Anne, check this link and look for them at your local grocery store or big box store with the laundry supplies.

http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CCwQ8wIwAg#

[Margo C.]

Hi - Barbara Anne - you said and asked:

A light bulb went off in my mind. For years I have made pysanky (ukranian easter eggs) and always added vinegar to the dyes. I am not familiar with RETAYNE or SYNTHROPOL, thanks Margo, for the links to learn about these products. I am curious to know if vinegar is part of their formula, but doubt that this information is available to the public. Is there any information of the packaging indicating the contents? Does the type of dye dictate how to "permanently" set the color? Are there any chemists out there that can explain more about the use of vinegar as a setting agent?

My husband is a chemist. He is going to look into this particular issue and see what he can find out for us. YAY..... He says that this particular field of chemistry is a specialty field of it's own. There are many types of dyes - some are organic (plants, vegetable, animal, bugs - Yes - it is true :roll: ) and many synthetic - and one single type of product will not address the bleed-out of every single type of dye. Vinegar is acidic acid. I have personally found it to be helpful in "setting" color in pre-washing fabrics, but it does not always stop the bleeding in all cases and you must rinse thoroughly to get out the vinegar odor. I've never tried RETAYNE or SYNTHROPOL, but will order some and try it.

That's all I can contribute right now. As soon as he gets some answers, I will reply.

Ruth (RUTABAGGY)

[Barbara A.]

My husband is a chemist. He is going to look into this particular issue and see what he can find out for us. YAY..... He says that this particular field of chemistry is a specialty field of it's own. There are many types of dyes - some are organic (plants, vegetable, animal, bugs - Yes - it is true :roll: ) and many synthetic - and one single type of product will not address the bleed-out of every single type of dye. Vinegar is acidic acid. I have personally found it to be helpful in "setting" color in pre-washing fabrics, but it does not always stop the bleeding in all cases and you must rinse thoroughly to get out the vinegar odor. I've never tried RETAYNE or SYNTHROPOL, but will order some and try it.

That's all I can contribute right now. As soon as he gets some answers, I will reply.

Ruth (RUTABAGGY)[/quote]


Many thanks to your husband for taking the time to look into this.
Barb

[Barbara A.]

Barbara Anne, check this link and look for them at your local grocery store or big box store with the laundry supplies.

http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CCwQ8wIwAg#

Thanks Margo, I'll give them a try.

[Barbara P.]

Happy Friday Everyone,

Just an update...

I have gotten 133 packages and 22 are on the way - total so far is 20,451 strips

Our deadline is April 30th so please get your envelopes in the mail.

I am finding that putting all of the strips in 1 large ziplock bag is the easiest for me to handle - so if you have not sent yours, you DO NOT need to package them in separate baggies - makes it easier for you and me. This is just one of those things you learn as you go

[Roseanne M.]

Happy Friday Everyone,

Just an update...

I have gotten 133 packages and 22 are on the way - total so far is 20,451 strips

Our deadline is April 30th so please get your envelopes in the mail.

I am finding that putting all of the strips in 1 large ziplock bag is the easiest for me to handle - so if you have not sent yours, you DO NOT need to packages them in separate baggies - makes it easier for you and me. This is just one of those things you learn as you go

Thanks for this update, Barb. Am just getting ready to send & will put all in 1 bag.
All your efforts on this project are so appreciated!!

[Roseanne M.]

Would you please send me the address where to send the strips. I seem to have misplaced it.

mailto:[email protected]

[Roseanne M.]

I have always used Retayne and HOT water to pre-wash my batiks and so far have never had a problem with colors running and possibly ruining my quilts. I usually pre-wash one to one and a half yards in an old hospital wash basin and if it's more than 1 1/2 Yards then I pre soak the fabric in the washer with the Retayne and the HOT water and rinse with cold water and then dry. Hope that might help some of you who have never used this product. ALWAYS test your fabrics and then make your decision as to what works best for you.

Kathy in Michigan

[Barbara P.]

Just a reminder for everyone who has not mailed their strips yet to get them bagged and sent out. The exchange closes on April 30th. I will wait to start sorting as long as I have emails letting me know your strips are on the way. Once those have cleared, were are good to go

I have just under 22,000 strips