New World Textiles PO Box 1484-W Black Mountain, NC 28711-1484 828/669-1870 Providing
Home copyright 2003-2010 Eileen Hallman |
Projects (7 of 7)
|
| [< Previous ] | [ Projects ] |
|
|
See the color change progression below: From left to right, unwashed, washed in hot soapy water, boiled 40 minutes, washed and then soaked in COLD dilute ammonia solution overnight (about a quarter cup ammonia to a gallon of cold tap water). The green cotton has two pigments--yellow and gray. These colors are sensitive to pH; vinegar or any acidic solution will lighten the color and an alkaline solution will darken it. I don't know if both the yellow and the gray respond, or if it's just the gray. My water is neutral--yours may be different, and you will get different variations on this progression. The ammonia dip is my favorite treatment--I do this after washing --no boiling necessary. To my eye, this enhances the gray component, giving it a bluish cast.
|