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Frequently Asked Questions |
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1. Will my purchase be the same color as appears on my computer? Due to variations in browsers, video cards and monitors, it is possible that the actual color may vary slightly from what you see on your computer screen. Variations in color and texture are inherent in the dye process for hand-dyed and painted fabrics, a quality that imparts their unique character. 2. What quality of fabric do you use? Dyer's Edge uses mostly PFD (prepared for dying) cottons. Different ones are needed to achieve different results. I often use fairly high thread counts for better resolution such as Kaufman Pima or Testfabrics 419. You may send for a sample with a self addressed stamped envelope. I also use 400M from Testfabrics, which is widely used by dyers, but I find that it doesn't always give enough definition for some work, especially with pigments. Good quality muslin is used on occasion for special effects. I have experimented with gauze, corduroy, silks, polyesters etc., but these are mostly for my own use, competitions, or special orders. 3. What type of dyes do you use? I use Procion-Mx fiber reactive dyes that bond with the dye sites of natural fabrics for long lasting color and light fastness. For painted fabrics, I either dye paint or use Setacolors.* They are both very stable and do not change the hand of the fabric. The pigments used in fabric painting are a surface treatment: unlike Procion-Mx dyes they do not bond with the fibers. They should be treated a little more gently when washing and drying to prevent crocking. * Availability of Setacolor prints/fabrics will vary due to climatic and space restrictions. 4. How do I care for hand-dyed fabrics purchased at Dyer's Edge? Dyer's Edge hand-dyed fabrics have been laundered several times during processing, but I always recommend that you rewash the fabrics due to the variation in water and detergents. The fabrics are light and color fast, but there may be some surface dyes that need to be removed. They should be washed in cool to warm water with mild detergent that doesn't contain bleach or other whiteners for best results. I prefer Synthrapol (see Question 6 below) for washing. Machine or line dry them and iron on the correct fabric setting. 5. Do I care for Dyer's Edge hand-painted fabrics the same way? These fabrics need to be washed on the gentle cycle or by hand in cool water. They prefer to be line dried. If opalescent pigments were used, they should not be dry cleaned, as this will dull the sheen. For ironing cottons use the lowest cotton setting. 6. What is Synthrapol? Synthrapol is a surfactant that lifts residual dyes and dirt from the surface of fabrics. Hand dyers commonly use it for pre-washing fabrics to remove the sizing so the fiber reactive dyes can bond with the fibers and to remove any excess dyes on the surface after processing. Synthrapol is available at many quilt shops, through me and through Prochemical at 1-800-2BuyDye, and at other dye houses like Dharma, Earth Guild and Spider, Rupert and Gibbon. It comes in 4, 8, and 16 oz. containers as well as gallon jugs. 7. How color and light fast are these fabrics? Dyer's Edge fabrics are very color and light fast due to fabric selection and proper processing of the fiber-reactive dyes and seta color pigments. If you have experienced problems with hand dyed fabrics in the past, this may be because the dyer neglected to add soda ash/dye activator during the dye process, or didn't heat set the pigments properly. Another possible source of the problem could be the fabrics. If the fabrics have sizing other than mercerization, they will not allow the dyes to reach the fibers and won't be colorfast. This is why so many dyers use PFD fabrics and/or scour their fabrics several times before beginning the dye process. 8. How long until I receive my purchase? Orders will generally be filled within 1-2 weeks, depending on availability and my show/class schedule. If there will be a delay in processing your order, I will contact you with specifics. 9. Do you take special orders? Special orders may be requested by e-mail, regular mail or telephone. These are considered on an individual basis and may take some time to produce. Please try to be specific, provide your time frame requirements, include color/pattern information and if possible send me fabric swatches for color matching. Due to variations in dye lots as well as the way the dyes migrate etc., please be sure to order the quantity that you need as it may be difficult to match the colors later. Special orders will be processed only after a 25% non-refundable fee has been received to cover my expenses. This fee offsets the additional time and fabric expenses associated with special orders. The fabrics will be returnable if you decide that they do not meet your needs. However, they must be shipped back within four weeks of receipt and must be received in their original condition. You will be refunded your costs, less the 25% deposit and shipping costs. If you require a fabric similar to my normal stock, but in a different color, I will wave the special order deposit if it is something that would be resalable if returned. Get to know them and live with them a while before you decide if they will suit your purposes. If you do decide to return a special order, call or e-mail me to let me know so that I will be expecting your return. 10. What is your return policy? Dyer's Edge will accept returns that are received in their original condition. The merchandise must be shipped using a service that offers tracking. I suggest either UPS or the U.S. Postal Service. The Postal Service currently charges $ 0.35 for this service and lets you know when the package arrives. Call or send an e-mail letting me know in advance that you are sending it, the reason for the return and how it will be shipped. For purchases submitted on the web site, return shipment must be made within two weeks of receipt. For these items you will receive a full refund less shipping charges. For special orders, return shipment must be made within four weeks of receipt. For these items you will receive a full refund less the 25% deposit and shipping costs. 11. What are my payment options? Initially, fabric purchases submitted on the web site must be paid through CCNow, a secure, online payment service that accepts most major credit cards. I plan to add a second purchase option, that will allow you to submit your purchases to me online without supplying a credit card number. I will then call you for order confirmation and to obtain your credit card information, usually within 48 hours of your online submission of an order. If you wish, you may call in an order at 734-847-3912, or mail me your order with your check or credit card information. However, Dyer's Edge cannot guarantee the availability of fabrics listed on the web site if mail ordered. If the fabric is unavailable, your check will be returned. You can also arrange to purchase specific fabrics shown at any quilt show where we are vending. Click on "Show Dates" below for a list of upcoming shows. 12. Do you teach classes? Yes, I do teach. I place less stress on perfection, and more on the wonders of serendipity, letting the fabrics and colors develop in new and unexpected ways. Classes currently offered include gradations, color wheels (great way to experiment with and get to know color), Shibori techniques (and other fabric manipulations), discharging, printing and dye painting. If you have a particular avenue you want to explore, run it by me. I charge $300 per 6 hour class plus material fees, which depend on the class. You would also be responsible for my transportation, food expenses and if necessary, lodging. You may want to consider setting something up with a sister guild and share the expenses. |
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