WET FINISHING BY MACHINE

In April 2018, I wrote a wet finishing article. In that article I wrote all about wet finishing - BY HAND. As at that time, that was my preferred method. I had some rather nasty experiences using the washing machine and dryer to wet finish and decided that to avoid problems that could ruin all of the work that went into creating the weave - why take any chances. I still believe that wet finishing by hand is a preferred method - especially for some very delicate weaves or fibers that are more likely to shrink or felt when felting is not desired.

I have heard from so many weavers on the various weaving groups that I am on talk about how good wet finishing by washer/dryer can be - so I decided I would do some experimenting and come up with a method that works well - works quickly - and so far has not ruined anything I have tried it on.

What you will need -

WASHER  (top load, front load, agitator, no agitator - it should not matter. I am using a top load with agitator.

WASHING BAG - fine mesh bag with a zipper or draw string. I have two - a medium size one, Pictured here - for scarves and small to medium weaves - and a large one for shawls and table runners.

SOAP I am still using BABY SHAMPOO. It if it is delicate enough for a baby it is delicate enough for what we weave on our looms.

LAUNDRY SOFTENER I am still using Downy.

DYE CATCHING SHEETS  Use with any yarn that might have colors that will run.

CLOTHES DRYER

DRYER BALLS  Wool or plastic balls with nubs that are made to be tossed into a dryer.

SOFTENER SHEETS (optional)

TABLE OR FOLDING DRYING RACK  Pictured is what I have been using - purchased at Costco and used with the wire shelf that I talk about in my first Wet Finishing article.

Here is what I have come up with:

1. SET WASHER TO DELICATE.

2. SET TO MEDIUM LOAD TO HALF FILL WITH WATER - I USE COLD WATER. WARM TO HOT WATER CAN SHRINK NATURAL FIBERS. AGITATION IN HOT WATER WILL FELT WOOL AND SOME OTHER NATURAL FIBERS.

3. SET WASHING DIAL TO EXTRA LIGHT (on our washer this washes, rinses, and spins for about 20 minutes). This should be the LEAST of the wash time settings.

4. START AND FILL WITH WATER.

5. ADD A SMALL AMOUNT OF BABY SHAMPOO.

6. ADD SMALL AMOUNT OF DOWNY TO SOFTENER CUP (per washer instructions).

7. PUT WEAVING IN WASHING BAG TRYING TO NOT GET IT AS EVEN AS POSSIBLE AND CLOSE BAG.

8. PUT WEAVING BAG IN WASHING MACHINE INTO WATER.

9. THROW IN DRYER SHEET.

10. START WASHER.

Your washer may have different ways to set these settings. The most important part is to let this wash in the machine for no more than 20 to 30 (AT THE MOST) minutes.

11. WHEN DONE TAKE OUT OF WASHER AND OUT OF BAG IMMEDIATELY.

12. PUT WET WEAVING INTO DRYER - LAY IT IN SO THAT IT IS AS FLAT AS POSSIBLE IN THE DRUM.

13. SET DRYER TO DELICATE.

14. SET DRYING TIME TO THREE (3) MINUTES (this is vital). NO MORE THAN 2 TO 3 MINUTES TOTAL IN DRYER! I HAVE BEEN FINDING THAT TWO MINUTES WILL LEAVE THE CLOTH LESS DRY WHICH IS GOOD. YOU WANT THE CLOTH TO COME OUT DAMP. TIMING IN THE DRYER (AS WELL AS IN THE WASHING MACHINE) IS CRITICAL!


15. SET DRYER TO "LOW".

16. TOSS IN DRYER BALLS.

17. CLOSE DRYER DOOR - AND START.

SET A TIMER FOR 2 TO 3 MINUTES IN CASE THE DRYER RUNS OVER THAT TIME.

18. AFTER NO MORE THAN THREE MINUTES REMOVE WEAVING FROM DRYER - IT SHOULD STILL BE DAMP!

l9. LAY WEAVING OUT FLAT ON A TABLE OR DRYING RACK. STRAIGHTEN IT OUT SO THAT THERE ARE NO FOLDS - FRINGE IS EITHER LYING FLAT AND NOT UNDER CLOTH  OR HANGING OFF THE ENDS OF THE TABLE OR RACK.

20. LEAVE ON RACK OR TABLE UNTIL COMPLETELY DRY.

IF YOU ARE WET FINISHING COTTON MAKE SURE TO EITHER KNOT THE BOTTOM OF EVERY FRINGE BEFORE WET FINISHING OR TWIST FRINGE AND KNOT THE BOTTOMS OF THE TWISTS. COTTON TENDS TO UNRAVEL ON RAW ENDS WHEN WET FINISHING. (This is for both machine wet finishing or hand wet finishing.)

AFTER WET FINISHING CLIP ANY TAILS LEFT WHILE WEAVING.

That is it. So far there have been no problems. No wrinkles left in the cloth. No set in folds have occurred. With a fine enough mesh washing bag, no fringes have escaped and wrapped around the agitator.

Regardless - when I sell a weave, the tag says "HAND WASH COLD, LAY FLAT TO DRY".

Key things - delicate, wash no longer than 20 to 30 minutes (closer to 20 the better), dry only to damp - NO MORE THAN THREE MINUTES, lay flat to fully dry. Do you have to use softener or baby shampoo - no. Use whatever you want - I find these work. For a very soft yarn you may not want to sue any softener at all.

IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE FIRST ARTICLE PLEASE DO SO.