Reverse Shibori-Arashi Style

Shibori is one of my favorite ways to dye fabric. In this particular project, I used Arashi and in the reverse. Most often when fabric is dyed, color is added, in this case, I removed color as an experiment. In addition to removing color, I worked with more fabric than I normally do. Typically, I work in small batches but this time I used 2 yards of fabric.

These are the supplies I typically use for Arashi: fabric, twine (in this case light rope), Rit Color Remover, PVC pipe, and face mask (always use a mask when using powder dyes).

Before I dye any fashion fabric, I wash it to remove any starch or any other finishes. I make sure the fabric is wet (as in the above photo) because it takes the dye better when wet. Squeeze out the water so that it's not dripping wet.

The diameter of the PVC pipe is 4". I folded the fabric in half lengthwise and started to wrap it around the pipe. I made sure the fabric was as smooth as possible.

As I roll the fabric on, I make sure to roll it on as evenly as possible. Keep in mind to NOT roll the fabric on too tight, doing so will make it 1. harder to push down the pipe and 2. absorption harder.

2 yards rolled on!

In this project I selected a light nylon rope instead of twine because of the amount of fabric yardage. I prefer using nylon because I think it acts as more of a resist. The rope is taped inside the pipe, just my preference, and then I start wrapping the rope around the fabric.

There are a number of ways to wrap the rope around the pipe. Instead of wrapping in parallel lines, I modified it a bit and crossed some of the rope every so often. It is IMPORTANT remember, after wrapping a few times, to push the fabric towards the end of the pipe. If you wrap a lot before pushing the fabric, it will make it much harder to push the fabric. When you get to the end, cut the robe and tape it to the pipe.

My Witch's Brew as my husband calls it! The RIT did not get precise directions on remover to water or fabric so I used 2 boxes for 2 yards of fabric. I boiled water and stirred the remover in. After wrapping and pushing the fabric down, it was too high for my bucket so I used a garbage can liner instead. 

  Photo 1-fabric after 5 minutes

 

Photo 2-fabric after 10 minutes

Photo 3-fabric after 30 minutes

NOTE: The RIT instructions advise to soak fabric for 20 minutes. But I decided to soak the fabric for an hour because of the amount of yardage. This was an experiment for me.

This is always the exciting part, The Reveal! 

Although this was an experiment, I suspected this would be the result. There was too much fabric for the remover to soak all the way through. I think if I had been able to find a large pipe, more color would have been removed or possibly not pushing the fabric down as much. 

I know the holes are the result of keeping the fabric in the solution for an hour. It stands to reason that if it's strong enough to remove color it can deteriorate fabric. Thankfully, there is a lot of yardage and I will be able to make something out of the fabric.

Lessons Learned

1. If using the Arashi technique on large amounts of fabric, use a very large pipe.

2 .When removing color from black fabric, you can't predict the color result.

3. When you don't follow manufacturing instructions, the fabric may be destroyed.

Now to decide what I will make out it!:)