wool staining or variegation

**CDNSushi** · 25th November 09, 03:01 AM

I took advantage of Stillwater's sale this week and bought a closeout Saffron heavyweight. Thanks to Wormhole(tm) technology, it arrived in Japan today.

Please note, this is not a complaint (nor a rant), because I knew what I was getting into, but an appeal for advice on what I should do, and what options are open to me.

The fabric is actually quite heavily stained in spots. (I rather doubt it would come out in a photo very well but I could try later)... The overall look is as if the fabric were variegated or marbled, if you will. It's as if though it were dyed unevenly. The fabric itself is brown-ish, and the variegation is dark reddish. Whether it's obvious or noticeable is in the eye of the beholder, and also depends on what kind of lighting you're viewing it under. I can almost guarantee that if you wore it out in the evening, you wouldn't notice anything off at all, especially in the dim lighting of a pub or restaurant.

Now, having said that, I know that I could certainly wear it as-is, but I would also like to consider an alternative or two. Now, not knowing what caused the color variegation impairs me greatly. (I don't suppose Jerry would be willing to reply in this thread or send me a quick PM if he knew what caused it?)

But in any case, I'm considering 4 options.

1. Don't muck with it. Just wear it informally, and in situations where the imperfections can't be seen.

2. Take it to a drycleaner and ask if they figure they can do anything.

3. Attempt a re-dye in a somewhat darker, redder color in an attempt to make the bakground match the variegation.

4. Attempt to dye the whole thing black... (Just 'cause that could look really cool as well).

Hmmmmmmmm.... What to do? What to do?

ith:

**Bugbear** · 25th November 09, 03:17 AM

I remember Nighthawk spilled coffee on his and it didn't even show.

You might ask Pleater; I seem to recall her knowing a lot about this type of thing.

**Chas** · 25th November 09, 03:24 AM

I think option 2 is the best first step. You have to find out what the staining is before you can do anything with it. You certainly can't dye it without knowing whether it is mineral based or if it is vegetable based.

You don't say whether the staining is all over (in between the pleats) or just on the top layer. Was it sold 'as seen' (how does that work over the internet)? It strikes me, you have some case for compensation.

Regards

Chas

**CDNSushi** · 25th November 09, 04:24 AM

Originally Posted by Chas

You have to find out what the staining is before you can do anything with it. You certainly can't dye it without knowing whether it is mineral based or if it is vegetable based.Chas

Good point. I never even considered that. Hard to say until I get someone to look at it or maybe see if Jerry knows at all...

As you can see here, depending on how you look at it and what lighting you use to view it, it ranges from being kinda noticeable to not so noticeable...

This last one distorts the color but maybe it's easier to see what's happening with the variegation...

**Chas** · 25th November 09, 04:37 AM

I think it is definitely noticeable. Another thought struck me. Not all staining is benign. If there is some acid or alkali content in the stain, then it could be eating the kilt away as we speak. I think the option 2 has become more urgent.

Regards

Chas

**Bugbear** · 25th November 09, 04:50 AM

Ya, if there's some kind of clorine type substance involved, it could eat through the wool, or so I have read.

I looked over a chapter on dying fabric in a costoom tech book to see what would be involved with dying the whole kilt. I guess it might be possible, but I'm not sure it's practical if for no other reason than you would need a really big container to get an even dying without adjetating the wool.

I know others know much more than me on this subject.

**ForresterModern** · 25th November 09, 06:39 AM

I assume it is wool material we are dealing with so that throwing it in the washer is not a quick and easy option.

If so, finding out what the staining material might be would definitely help in determining if a drycleaner will be able to try to remove it without permanent damage. Failing that I would still try a drycleaning first to see what effects that might have, as long as you have someone you can trust to take care of the pleats (leaving the basting in might help in that regard, if it still has it). After a good drycleaning if the spots remain I would (after removing the basting) search out a good quality dye in a color similar to or darker than the stain, as you were considering, that is compatible with the material, and attempt to dye the stains into submission. If it is tartan material it will affect the lightest colors in the tartan far more than the others---if a solid color not so much an issue as long as you can live with the anticipated finished coloration. If that doesn't work, consider dyeing the whole thing in a very dark color---deep brown or black, which theoretically, if the dyes take to the fabric, should cover nearly all stains. Unless the stains have somehow altered the texture of the fabric as well, in which case you are stuck with that forever. Or unless the stains have altered the way the fabric is able to take up the dye, then you may end up with an invers type of stain--the stains would be lighter thanthe background. good luck. Keep us posted on your attempts and the results.

jeff

**MacLowlife** · 25th November 09, 09:13 AM

It really can't hurt to dunk it in a bathtub full of cold water. If you do, though, be sure to observe precautions about pleat basting before ironing or pressing. If something has been spilled, either on the fabric or the kilt, that little rinse might help. If it is variegation in the dye (and I have no knowledge to help you there) the only thing is to cover it up somehow. I suspect you may be able to find an artisan dyer in Japan a lot more easily than in most of the US.

I tried once to revive the faded color in a velvet jacket using RIT dye. I used a decent sized stockpot, but nothing huge, probably 12 or 14 quarts. I was dying the same color, so I can't be sure how well it worked, but I did not get any "tie dye" effects at all. I ended up rinsing it outside with the garden hose.

BTW, I really like the subtle jacquard pattern. good luck.

**Ryan Ross** · 25th November 09, 09:26 AM

I know that Bob Martin has dyed kilts (as kilts- no pre dying of the fabric before it was kiltified), and had good results as I recall.

That said, I'd just talk to someone that has a little experience with dying garments, and after talking to Jerry about the cause of the staining, proceed with caution.

**nh_maclean** · 25th November 09, 10:22 AM

I'll have to double-check my Saffron I scored, but the stains I saw on mine are small. They look like water droplets that haven't completely dried (so not dark but not completely unnoticeable). There are a few scattered on the apron and some within the pleats but since it's not too noticeable there unless you're really inspecting the pleats when I walk - it's cool.

When I talked to Jerry about the condition of the kilts before purchasing he did say there would be some stains/discoloration (he gave an example of the possible discoloration from the ironing process) - thus the 1/2 price - but nothing that would make the kilt unwearable. Since I was thinking of this as a hiking/knock-around kilt - at the price and condition - it's perfect for me. (At this price, I don't feel "bad" for getting it dirty or knocking around in it.) That being said - I'd love to figure out how to remove the stains.

Keep me updated what you find out!

-Noah