It seems my mention of my new Spoonflower fabrics has stirred the comments with those concerned about fabric fade. By now, most of you have probably seen Banquopack's fade tests on Spoonflower. Many of you are concerned about buying prints that aren't going to last in the wash. But what about other fabrics? how do they hold up? What happens when you make a gorgeous quilt and your bed sits in the sun?
I first mentioned my concerns with fade last May when I noticed my little Lucy was suffering a bit of sunbleaching. It was sort of a callout to everyone who keeps their gorgeous stash in direct sunlight. Today's photo revisits Lucy.
Last May, I gave her a spin and put her bright side to the sun. Ten months on her fade continues. Fabric that's never been washed. Fabric that's rarely handled. The same sunbleached effect that you can expect on a quilt that sits on a bed under a window. The same sunbleached effect you can expect on the soft toys in a window.
So aside from Spoonflower have you been hit by fade lately? And what's an acceptable level?
An important issue..the fade.
ReplyDeleteI would expect a quilt on a bed that sits in direct sunlight for most of the day to fade.
Given your test with Lucy, I would probably rotate quilts or draw the blinds as to not get direct sunlight hit the quilt.
As I don't get loads of direct sunlight on our beds, the sunfade isn't an issue for me...washing and fade is. With two small kids, my quilts get washed ALOT.
To be honest though, I make my quilts to be used and enjoyed so am happy for normal wear and tear. If I have a super dooper precious quilt (like the one I asked Rita to make me) well, that baby is kept well away from the smalls ;)
I once had a comment on how my seams would split over time if I ironed them open - because I do the small and bulky blocks. I commented back that I had never had a quilt damaged by a split seam, but a quilt in quality fabric that I made for my son 3 years ago that just sits on his bed with the sun hitting it, has faded. In just three years the fabric is pretty damaged.
ReplyDeleteI have a product in my store called color seal and Its BRILLIANT http://raglanguld.bigcartel.com/product/dylon-fabric-colour-seal
ReplyDeleteIt comes complementary with my pants but I have listed it for all quilt makers. To give you an idea.....I have a black pair of cotton pants made 2 years ago and they are still in MINK condition. Its the only solution I could find to assist with preservation, stopping runs and premature aging of my garments. I LOVE this PRODUCT!! Yell out if you want a try...I send you some on the HOUSE!!
Once upon a time ago - probably 6 or & years by now - gold highlights were popular on fabrics (Think paisleys). I made a quilt for my husband that used that fabric. All - I mean every last bit - of that gold washed away. (It was by Hoffman.)
ReplyDeleteCaveat - I am not sure how many washed this took - that quilt has take a beating - washing machine & dryer, regularly.
This has been interesting to follow. My parents have walls of glass in their home and their cherry book cases are all faded and the book spines are all faded. It's a dilemma when it is so pleasant to have sunlight in your home and pleasant to have your treasures around, but also want them to stay in good shape.
ReplyDeletewow, it is amazing how much those peas faded, i would have never thought of that.
ReplyDeleteBut then i guess here in Germany we get our sun but not too much i guess :-)
thanks for the info!
claudia.