snowplow3840 wrote:
Are there any chemists out there that can explain how ironing the bleached areas stops the bleaching? I'd like to try this technique and hope it works, but must admit that I'm a skeptic.

Anyway, I found another online website that sells bleach-stop, bleach thickener, etc. here it is----> http://www.dharmatrading.com/topnav/chemicals/

Last summer, I made four small quilts using Helen Godden's technique for bleach discharging of fabric. She presses the bleached area to immediately stop the bleaching and then rinses the fabric in warm water a couple of times to rinse the bleach out. (you can see her demonstrate that technique in the blog archives from when the Three Sisters were working on Seasonal Sisters in LaVeta). Three of the quilts are completely done and hanging in the motorhome and the fourth one needs its binding. The fabric has not degraded at all and I did not use any chemical to stop the bleaching. Not sure why this works that way but Helen is a real expert at doing it so I took her word for it. I did use the thicker Chlorox bleach that is available in small bottles in the grocery store. (Thought I had brought some along in the motorhome but cannot find it right now and I don't remember the exact name)

I am certainly not suggesting that this will work on other techniques in the same way but just wanted people to know that that technique works.

Ann who is in Minnesota with a heater running in the motorhome because Minnesota seems to have moved closer to the North Pole or forgotten that August is supposed to be HOT!!!!

One important thing to remember when using bleach like this...it starts the chemical reaction and no amount of rinsing it will actually stop this, so you have to use one of the products specifically for this, or you could end up with holes in whatever you are working on.

Thank you so much.

You should be able to find it in a pet store, because it's also used to treat the water in aquariums. Otherwise, there are lots of places online, such as http://www.prochemicalanddye.com/store/product.php?productid=16675&cat=0&page=1

I am using diluted bleach to alter some fabric. I read a recent article that said when doing this you should use Anti-Chlor to remove any last traces of bleach. I looked on hancockspaducah.com and equilter.com but could not find. Does anyone know where I can order these products? Also, once I find is it OK to use them on an older finished piece?

Thanks - Leslie C