Shibori Shirt Created Using Rit Color Remover

tutorial

September 27, 2012

Shibori Shirt Created Using Rit Color Remover

Posted by

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. Our friend, textile artist Judy Coates Perez, wanted to experiment and see if Color Remover could be used to create patterned effects on clothing using a Japanese Shibori wrapping technique. She purchased a purple shirt, accordion folded the lower body and sleeves of the shirt, and then wrapped it diagonally with cord. Then the wrapped portion of the shirt was saturated with very hot water, and Color Remover was sprinkled over the wrapped area. The purple color was discharged or removed in between the wrapped areas to a tan color. The result is a spider web pattern that creates a distressed look.

You can see Judy demonstrate this innovative technique on a recent episode of Quilting ArtsTV to create unique patterns for her quilting projects.

Here's the full tutorial for this shirt project:

SUPPLIES:

Rit Color Remover
Colored Garment or Fabric
Cotton Cord or Twine
Scissors
Measuring Spoons
Large Tray
Container for Rinsing/Laundering Shirt
Tea Kettle
Rubber Gloves
Plastic Table Cover

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Prewash shirt to remove any finishes that may interfere with the color remover process.

2. Accordion fold the lower body of the shirt and wrap it diagonally with twine or cotton cord, as shown. Secure cord.

3. Then accordion fold the lower half of the sleeves and wrap them together.

4. Place shirt in a tray. Heat water in a tea kettle so it is very hot, almost boiling. Then carefully pour water over wrapped shirt body and sleeves to saturate them. Keep the top shoulder portion of the shirt dry.