Cotton-spandex - any experience?

[lilah]

Judy,

I ordered the bella pants last night. Now I have to wait for them to get here!!!!

BTW, when you do LWI, what is your method? I did my first one a couple of weeks ago but I think I did it wrong - the shirt was already presoaked in soda ash.



It turned out very blotchy, I think. Try, try again 

Lilah

 

[mishoga]

Lilah,
I should have answered this earlier. I discharge many spandex/cotton garments (I only create yogawear, we love the spandex mix). No problem. A couple of pieces I had to re-apply discharge several times, especially black garments. but all in all it works great.
Here's some examples of discharging
First pic I discharged out the design then painted with lumiere paint over dye
second pic, I discharged after first application of dye, then dyed over
third pic I discharged out the peace sign then over dyed.
All pcs are a combo lycra/spandex/cotton mix.
It took me awhile to get the LWI technique and I still play around with it depending on colors used and desired intensity. Paula Burch has great directions on her website.
I've learned so much from everyone here and Paula.
Dye on sista!!!

[tiedyejudy]

BTW, when you do LWI, what is your method? I did my first one a couple of weeks ago but I think I did it wrong - the shirt was already presoaked in soda ash.



It turned out very blotchy, I think. Try, try again 

Lilah

I learned how to do LWI from Paula Burch's instructions: http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/lowwaterimmersion.shtml
I have also done a little 'parfait dyeing' on fabric, but the basic instructions from Paula gave me everything I needed to do good LWI.  One thing I try to do is get a good, tight scrunch in order to create interesting patterns.  I have a number of buckets, margerine tubs, etc., to cram my work into, and I don't tie or band the item, but you could if you want to take the trouble. 
Keep at it... it's worth it!

Judy

[lilah]

Mish,

Thanks for your reply! I love those shirts. Can I ask what you used to discharge with? Bleach, discharge paste, dish gel? I seem to remember a thread where someone was discharging on cotton-spandex and got holes, but your stuff looks great! How long did you leave the discharge solution on the garments?  

I don't trust myself to do designs, I have little freehand drawing ability - although I would love to do an OM on a cami.

This forum is the best, isn't it? I would be nowhere near as interested in / getting better at making dyed clothes if it were not for everyone here. Paula's site is great, too. It was the first dyeing site I ever came across, and I look at her forums a lot as well.

Judy - thanks for the encouragement!

Lilah  

[deb]

I discharged a couple shirts with bleach cleanser made into a paste and splattered on with a toothbrush to make a sort of starry sky. One shirt, the one that I dyed blue first, came out great, as did another (but it hadn't been dyed such a deep blue), while the third, which I had bought blue, not only didn't discharge worth a darn but the paste ate holes in the fabric. I had a starry fabric all right - would've looked even better held up to a light! 

[lilah]

Deb - LOL!!!!!      Good story.

[mishoga]

Mish,

Thanks for your reply! I love those shirts. Can I ask what you used to discharge with? Bleach, discharge paste, dish gel? I seem to remember a thread where someone was discharging on cotton-spandex and got holes, but your stuff looks great! How long did you leave the discharge solution on the garments?  

Lilah,
I use a discharge paste from Dharma. I tried the bleach a couple of times with black garments but never obtained that white out effect. The bleach left a orange tinted area.
As far as how long I leave discharge paste on, well I use to let it dry over night in my boiler room but recently I've left my pcs in the sun to dry faster. Not only does it dry faster, I don't have to steam it out. It bleaches out the pattern completely. You know, working with any of these products is a matter of trial and error. Unfortunately I learn the hard way because I practically spend hours on each creation from the soak time, to double and triple dye sessions, discharging between, handpainting, hand embroidery, etc...
I actually thought I ruined a tank I had worked on for over 30 hours. I was trying to fix a small mistake. I immediately pulled it from the dye bath and started rinsing. Thank goodness it didn't stay within the fibers. I would have cried.
 
Personally I don't know if I'd trust the bleach solution on a cotton/spandex mix. I really enjoy working with discharge paste. I just have to learn to control the spread of the lines since it is slightly loose and spreads when applied with a squirt bottle. It does work well when you paint it on with a brush although it's time consuming with intricate work.
If you try the "Om" design show us some pics afterwards.

I also like using the Elmer's Blue Glue (thanks to Paula). I just tried something new with the elmer's blue glue. It's a Yantra mandala. It's curing right now. When I'm finished I'll post pics.

Good luck and remember, have fun!!!
Metta (love & Kindness)
Mish

[Jaja]

Mish,

second design had caught my eye! I like that it's something new.

[lilah]

Mish,

I have a friend that makes mandalas. Can't wait to see the yantra!

Thanks so much for your input. I just ordered from Dharma on Monday, so the paste will have to wait until next time. I think I'll perfect my tie dye for the time being.

Lilah

[mishoga]

I just ordered from Dharma on Monday, so the paste will have to wait until next time. I think I'll perfect my tie dye for the time being.
Lilah

Ugh!!! 
I just received an order from Dharma. My shipping was $24.00 and I forgot to order a few things, specifically discharge paste which I thought I did order. Now I have to wait two weeks for another order. I can't believe I forgot that. Don't ya hate when that happens. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!

Here's the first process of my Yantra Mandala. Still a few more processes to go. I used the Elmer's Blue Gel with this new toy I purchased which has given me more crisp lines. The tool is for fabric paint and is called "The Ultimate Fabric Painter" from Innovations. I like it. I just have to learn to control the thin lines for fabric paint. It works on pushing the paint through a thin line with an air pump. For $20 it was worth it. Then I hand painted in the design with Procion MX dyes.

Just sharing as this might open some new ideas for others here.
Metta
Mish

[lilah]

Mish,

That mandala is unbelievable. Really, you have quite a hand! I think that in order to achieve results like that one must have some natural ability to start with. Beautiful.

Lilah

[mishoga]

Lilah,
I will admit that I am a trained artist so that helps. I do create most of my designs freehand with a compass, ruler, washable markers, etc...  If you are truly interested in creating some unique artisitc tie dye creations, you can always purchase some tracing paper (to copy a design) then purchase some transfer paper (to copy design onto garment) then use the elmers blue glue to outline, let dry, then paint with your desired dye colors in the glue lines.
It is a lot of work (I personally consider it therapy as my mental thoughts drive me crazy sometimes and this brings me to a place of complete focus on one thing-sukha) but the end result is unique and very satisfying. I will certainly share the easiest ways to get crisp lines as that is what I've been working on the last year.
I'm not a pro- dyer but I will offer help where I can.
Don't be shy. Just jump in but make sure you experiment with older garments first until you perfect the technique or desired look that you are comfortable with and trying to achieve.
Metta
Mishy

[lilah]

Hi Mish,

Thanks for sharing your experiences and your pictures. I doubt that I will be attempting any such delicate designs in the immediate future, but it is nice to see what's possible! I'm happy to meet another yogini with an interest in dyeing, too!

I bought some blue glue today - back to school sales  - but I will probably just be making simple hearts, etc, to begin with. We shall see.

I can't wait to see your completed yantra shirt.

Namaste

Lilah

[mishoga]

Well, just to let you know, I absolutely stink with folds. Tried them and they come out yucky!!!! 
Mish