Susan Stein

Many of the techniques and tools we use every day allow us to add color or pattern to fabric. For a change of pace, let’s look at a couple of ways to remove color from fabric using discharge agents. In today’s lesson, we’ll use dishwasher gel and discharge paste along with our stencils to add patterns to our fabric while removing color.

Supplies:
~Leaves stencils [Cedar Canyon Textiles]
~Cotton, silk, or rayon fabrics in dark colors (see special considerations)
~Dishwasher gel with chlorine as the active ingredient
~Bleach Stop™ neutralizer powder [www.DharmaTrading.com]
~Discharge paste by Jacquard [www.DharmaTrading.com]
~Sponge brush (see special considerations)
~Spray adhesive like 404™ [Spray and Fix]

Special Considerations for Working with Discharge Techniques

• Work outside or with good ventilation.
• Avoid this technique if you have respiratory problems.
• Always do test swatches before beginning a large project- sometimes results are surprising, even on plain black fabric.
• Do not use a natural bristle brush or sea sponge with chlorine-based discharge agents.
• Do not use chlorine-based discharge agents on silk.

Discharge with Dishwasher Gel

The first technique uses dishwasher gel to remove color from the fabric. Purchase a dishwasher gel that contains chlorine bleach. (It should be clearly stated on the label.) And be sure to test the gel on a piece of fabric to see that it will, indeed, remove color from your fabric. (If the gel has been sitting on the shelf too long, the bleach may not be strong enough.)

Step 1

Prepare a neutralizing solution using a recipe of a solution of one teaspoon of Bleach Stop to one quart of water. Place the solution in a container near your sink.

Step 2

Place a piece of fabric (use only cotton or rayon for any chlorine discharge) on a plastic covered table.

Step 3

Spray the back of the stencil with adhesive and let dry.  Press the stencil onto the fabric.

Step 4

With the sponge brush, fill the openings in the stencil with dishwasher gel.  The bleaching action will begin right away so work quickly. Remove the stencil and watch to see when the desired amount of color removal is reached.

Step 5

Immediately wash the fabric in warm, soapy water to remove the gel and then soak for 15 minutes in the neutralizing solution to stop the bleaching action.  Rinse and dry.

In this example, you can see a dramatic change in the color where the gel was applied.

This photo shows the back side of a batik fabric after it was discharged using the Maple stencil. Sometimes the back is more subtle and harmonious with the color of the fabric.

Discharge with Discharge Paste

Discharge paste is an amonia-based product. It is safe for discharging all types of fabric, including silk and synthetics. Discharge paste is manufactured by Jacquard Products. Note that you will not need a neutralizing solution for working with discharge paste.

Step 1

Place a piece of fabric on a plastic covered table.

Step 2

Spray the back of the stencil with adhesive and let dry.  Press the stencil onto the fabric.

Step 3

Using a foam brush, fill in the openings in the stencil with discharge paste.

You won’t see any change in the fabric at this point, just a wet look, as shown on the batik fabric in the photo above.  Let the paste dry.

Step 4

After the fabric is dry, take the fabric to the ironing board and set the iron for the fabric you are using.  Using steam, iron over the discharged areas, keeping the iron moving to avoid making impressions of the steam holes.  Continue ironing until all areas have changed color.

Step 5

Wash the fabric in soapy water to remove any odor.

Batiks work very well for this process, as they retain a faint version of the waxed-in pattern while the background color changes drastically.

Silk noile will have a very textured look, due to the nubby surface which doesn’t absorb as much paste.

Extra Credit

Use the same fabric with different discharge agents and compare the results. Discharge paste and bleach-based products will often create a different result. You may also see a difference in the results using two different bleach-based products!

Tags: discharge, embellishment, Stencils

This entry was posted on Monday, December 14th, 2009 at 8:00 am and is filed under "How To" Information, Guest Artist, Stencils. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.