Ruined

[stitchwhich]

I ruined a tunic that I loved. I'd been embroidering on it, outlining a design around the neckline, and in the course of that became aware that I was not going to be able to embroider it fully as I had planned. The tendonitis won't allow it. So I decided to fill in the design using permanent ink on the inside of it. The first ink I used turned out to be water based and splotched all over everything in the wash. Got that mess cleaned up and went shopping for a better pen. Found one (I thought), filled in the design*, and tossed the tunic in the dryer to heat-set it. Then put it in the wash. The ink ran. It danced with wild abandon all over the creamy echru of the tunic. It spread out and made itself at home all around the neckline. It was everywhere. For the last couple of days I've been using various methods to try to remove the stains but none have been successful. It won't stay where I want it, and won't leave where I don't want it. So at some point I shall either have to toss the tunic in the dryer so I can reclaim the trim or just chuck the whole thing in the trash. I'll probably opt for saving the trim but that may not be done until after Pennsic.


*You spotted my error, didn't you? Always, always spot test dye or ink. I wasn't thinking.

Comments

[stitchwhich]

Oh honey, you would not want this tunic. It was splotched like the aftermath of a zombie attack where the wearer was bitten on the neck.

But I used 5 packages of Rit Dye Remover on it (two sessions of soaking & agitating) and most of the dye did, indeed, fade out. It is now a pinkish tunic and it also turned my green silk embroidery thread to burgundy but the splotching is mostly gone. Oddly the areas that I colored burgundy are now a dull greenish grey. I'm not sure how that came about. It is unblotched enough that I am going to try to overdye the whole thing with "wine red". We'll see. I kind of feel like I am throwing good money down the drain but I do dearly love this tunic.

Have you considered talking to your almost-southern sewing guru neighbor about doing a book-for-garb trade? She has a machine that does embroidery. (I am jealous of her machine.) She might be amiable to making you a couple of new things.

[medievalbooks]

Yes, and we will but she has had too much on her plate with the illness of her husband and death of her sister. So the material I bought (and finally washed!) is waiting til psychologically, physically and whatever else she has time to deal. There are about 3-5 outfits that can be made from the wool and linen I have been buying over the years. We haven't even been going swimming together since the fall. Was hoping that I would get an outfit - period - in time for my husband's laureling. Luckily the laureling doesn't seem to be happening anytime soon. Might buy an outfit when I get away from a merchant just to have for a special occasion, just in case. Most recent thing of garb I have is at least 8 years old and more suitable for camp garb - not one of yours. I still wear yours for special days.

The wine red sounds terrific...crossing fingers for you it comes out!