More deconstructed screen printing

These are my screen prints after washing, drying and ironing. Two different screens were used, both same background colors, but yellow added to one.

I received this message from Nancy a little while ago and I felt it was necessary for me to reply to the entire group as to why or why not one prewashes fabric before dyeing. I hope this clarifies my demand that fabric in a common pot must be prewashed.

Nancy's message:
Kay, I do agree with the difference in using wet or dry fabric with your shibori technique.  But>>>> I don't agree with your demand that I wash some PFD vs. non-washed PFD.  They look just the same.  I will bring them for you to judge, but today no one could tell the difference.  I do NOT think I need to wash "good" PFD fabric!

When you get home, we'll check them out again

Kay's response:

I guess not washing is a risk that one can choose to take. Once you’ve had a problem things can change. I think problems can be more obvious if you are going for even all over color and with shibori fabric spots or imperfections would not be as obvious.

It is also important if you are part of a group dyeing in a common pot that everyone’s fabrics follow certain rules to prevent problems with the fabric of others. It you came into a Jan Myers class with fabric you had not prewashed you would be required to wash it before you could use it in class.

So the choice is yours when you are on your own, but it you use a common pot rules have to be followed. There are also other stipulations when using a common pot such as NO silk and no previously dyed fabrics. I hope this gives you a greater understanding of the reasons for prewashing your fabric when dyeing.

Deconstructed Screen Printing

Some stencils  Beth used as texture for her screen.  

Getting ready to prepare a screen.

Nancy spreading thicken dyes on her screen.

This gives you a better perspective and you can see the texture showing on the screen.  The screen has to be totally dry before we could transfer the design onto fabric.

My screen 

Screens drying in the Florida sun!

Nancy's screen

This is Beth's screen.  

I'm adding thickened print paste to the top of my dried silk screen.  Next I scrapped the print paste from top to bottom several times to release the dye.  Fabric pre-treated with soda ash is under the screen (that's the white you see next to the screen).  It is pinned to a printing surface made of foam board, batting and heavy plastic.

I've lifted up the screen and reapplying more print paste releasing the dye on another area of the fabric.

I  added some yellow dye to transfer.  

I'm quite happy with this piece!

Beth made a screen using a nylon stocking!!  Results to follow 

Another fun day of learning a new technique!!!  Can't wait to see the printed results from Nancy and Beth!!!

Waste not, want not....transfer print on newspaper!