Removing & Adding Color to Create Unique Fabric Designs on Quilting Arts TV

We love the national PBS show, Quilting Arts TV, and are a proud sponsor of their informative and inspirational content where fabric artisans showcase their talents and techniques. We were doubly thrilled to see our friend, Judy Coates Perez, be featured in the 900 Series, Episode 902. Judy, an amazing textile artist, demonstrates a truly innovative technique to safely remove color from fabric using Rit Color Remover in combination with several Shibori wrapping techniques. The effect creates the most unique fabric designs that can be used to add a personalized touch to many quilting projects.

Take a peek at the video tutorial here...

Color Remover is a Rit laundry aid product that traditionally is used to remove or reduce fabric color before dyeing to a different or lighter color.  It’s not a bleach so it’s completely safe for the fabric.  In the first technique, fabric is pulled up like a tee pee and wrapped with a cord diagonally along the fabric.  (This is a Shibori technique that results in a spiderweb pattern the Japanese refer to as Kumo.) Then the wrapped fabric is dipped in a solution of ½ teaspoon Color Remover and 1 cup hot water.  When the desired amount of color has been removed, the fabric is rinsed in cold water.  If desired, the wrapped fabric can then be overdyed by dipping it in a dye solution to add  another color.

In the second technique, fabric is wet with very hot water and then Color Remover is sprinkled or splattered over the fabric, resulting in random crease patterns.  When the desired effect is achieved, the fabric is immersed in cold water.

In the third technique, fabric is wrapped around PVC pipe, then cotton cord is tightly wrapped around the fabric to hold it in place on the pipe and then the fabric is scrunched down toward the end of the pipe.  The Japanese call this Arashi, which results in diagonal linear lines that represent heavy storms.  Boiling water is poured over the wrapped fabric and then Color Remover is sprinkled around the fabric.  When the desired effect is achieved, the wrapped fabric is immersed in cold water.  Before removing fabric from the pipe, a new dye color can be added by brushing a dye solution over the fabric.