[Northkeep] Fading fabrics

[Jennifer Carlson]

Most fabrics have a certain amount of "free" dye left in them, and it
usually takes a washing or two to get that out.  After that, some fabrics
will continue to bleed, depending on the fiber and the chemical composition
of the dye.  Silk is notorious for bleeding dye for literally years.  Blue
jeans fade because the indigo dye is "fugitive."  You get the idea.

Anyway, there are ways to set the dye more firmly, once you have washed out
the "free" stuff, which may take a time or two in the washing machine.

White vinegar and heat will set the dye.  Smells a little at first, but the
acids in vinegar will bind the dye to the fibers, particularly in wool and
silk.  My apprentice, Rhiannon Redwolf, can explain this better than I, but
it works.

Also, linen is resistant to the dyes that work well on wools.  It takes
something like an analine dye (which was developed in the 19th century) to
make color hold in linen.  They did have dyes in period that worked on
linen, but one of the things that makes linen so attractive for household,
well, linens, is that it bleaches well and is resistant to stains.

So, a red wool, properly treated to bind the dye in, with white linen
saltires, should stand up to repeated washings without bleeding on the
white.  This would have to be proven by experimentation, of course.

And don't forget, depending on how they are attached, the appliqued saltires
could also be replaced as needed with fresh ones.

And, has anyone noted how often the baronial guard tabards need to be
laundered?  Unless stained, wool just needs a brushing and airing out now
and then.  I have a woolen gown I've worn in the SCA for over 15 years now
and never had to wash - sponged off a little mud now and then, and aired it
well, and it's fine.  It's the linen undergown that takes all the bodily
"abuse" and needs laundering.

Just my two groats worth.

Talana

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