DISCHARGE

Made by: Joanell Connolly

TECHNIQUE DISCRIPTION

Discharge is the process of removing color from a colored piece of cloth.  Jacquard Discharge Paste, can be brushed, screened, stamped or stenciled on for design  effect.  A bound resist method using household bleach presents a more freeform and less controllable result. 

STEPS TO MAKING THE TECHNIQUE

A. A stencil approach to discharging color from fabric in an artistic design. 

1.      Using a natural fiber fabric, iron the fabric and place on padded surface.

2.      Select a pre-made stencil or create your own.  A stencil can be a shape cut out of a piece of plastic or a file folder.  The hole created by cutting out the shape creates the stencil.

3.      Place the stencil on top of the fabric.  Using a small sponge, gently cover the design area with Jacquard Discharge Paste.  Let it sit for about ½ hour.  If the paste dries, that is ok.

4.      On a padded surface, using a steam iron, iron the design.  Do this in a well ventilated area.  Slowly the stenciled design will appear.  Keep ironing and moving your steam iron. 

5.      When satisfied with the result, wash out remaining chemicals, let dry and iron.

6.      Not all natural fabrics and dyes will discharge.  Success is based on the fabric and the method of dying the fabric initially.  Testing the fabric and experimentation is the key to success.

B. Bound Resist:

1.      Color is removed from cotton fabric using household bleach.

2.      Select a small piece colored cotton fabric.  Gather an area of fabric in your hand and band or tightly wrap it together using rubber bands or string.  How much fabric is bundled together, how tightly it is wrapped and materials used will all determine the end result.  Do this process multiple times on various parts of the fabric. 

3.      Mix together 2 parts household bleach and 3 parts water in a bucket.  Do this outside with adequate ventilation.  Using rubber gloves or long sticks immerse the bound fabric into the bleach mixture.  Let it sit in the bucket for the chemical process to work.  When you are satisfied with the visible discharge color, remove fabric from the bucket and rinse.  Remove binding materials and wash fabric multiple times to remove beach residue.