Free To Be

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.