dyedinvt (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} dyedinvt) wrote,@ 2006-03-08 10:56:00 |
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Case of the disappearing tie-dye shirt
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Tapestry a Day Project--Day 8
Today's Tapestry: Teal with Raspberry Heart Pattern: Heart Color Combination: Teal with Raspberry Colors Applied: Teal, Turquoise, Lavender, Raspberry, Blue and Navy. Size 44 x 44 inches This is a tapestry from around 15 years ago that I still really like. 
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(Where did my shirt go?) A few years ago, that might be 15 to 20 by now, I heard someone say, "I never buy tie-dyes because they always fall apart." Perhaps you've heard similar comments. The culprit is mildew, which as far as I can tell feeds on almost everything organic. The tie-dyer may not even be aware of the damage. Mildew damage may not be apparent until you've worn the garment a few times when clusters of holes start to appear. These holes are spots where mildew weakened the fiber. The problem happens because tie-dyers work with wet shirts, and if they keep them around too long before they are rewashed they will mildew. First, they start to smell, then they develop spots that grow, and if left long enough become holes. When you buy the garment the mildew has usually been killed by hot water when the garment was processed after dyeing so there is no smell and you may not be able to see any damage. Dyers should rewash garments in very hot water at the very first trace of a smell. This was a huge problem in the early days of tie-dye, but fortunately, the activator that most dyers use will retard mildew quite effectively if it is added to the shirts when they are wet out. Since most dyers use this method now, I think mildew is a smaller problem than it used to be, but it is certainly something to be aware of. |
