Pam in WV

I thought I had the storage and fading problem fix. Years age when we became "empty nesters", I took everything out of a walk-in closet. Added a lower dowl rod all the way around and begin hanging my fabric on plastic coat hangers. I sorted them by color and have not had a problem until now. I started checking and find only the greens with fading. The closet door is always closed, so I'm at a loss. I'm also afraid of using any of the greens now.

Pam in WV

I love old things, I've had the same husband for 46 years, but I sure hope that the fabric I have does not go back that far, but I'm like you, I thought that this problem was a thing of the past.

mic-pa

the very first quilt I ever made (queen size) for my bed faded on one side where the sun came in the window. Lesson learned!!! All my fabric is in the cupboard with doors closed. And my cutting table gets the afternoon sun so I have a large bath towel draped over that to protect my cutting board and any fabric that is on that. Marge

Roben

What a great topic! My first thought was that a change in the chemicals that fabric manufacturers are allowed to use was responsible - the older stuff (what ever that was) was deemed unsafe so alternatives had to be found that were safer but probably didn't work as well. My second thought was whether or not the manufacturers use some sort of treatment to prevent fading (after all, it sits on bolts in the shops for months or more) and that maybe by pre-washing we wash that treatment out. Mind you, I have absolutely no firm source for either thought, just things I've heard along the way.

In my quest to find a firm source, I came across yet another must-have book for my quilting library: From Fiber to Fabric by Harriet Hargrave. Even if the answers I'm looking for aren't in there, it sure seems like a very good reference book to have. Since it was published in 1997, that may be a bit of a hunt :wink:

bearisgray

I've also had blues fade alone the fold lines

bearisgray

and a couple of fabrics that I purchased had a fade line at the fold - they'd been around in the store for some time, I guess

Pam in WV

I have had fabric cut and then discovered fade lines so before I take it out of the store, I unfold it and go to the window or door and check it. They are very good about replacing or discounting it to a little of nothing when this happens. The problem is that if it has the fade lines in the folds, it that a sign of things to come?

Cathe

I believe this is true. A while ago (maybe 20 years?), DMC sent out notices that their red floss would no longer be colorfast because they weren't allowed to use the old standard mordants anymore. I think it was an environmental hazard or something??? Anyhow, they have new fixatives for that now, but some embroiderers are still boiling and/or setting it with vinegar or salt water before use.

I read this newsletter back in 1998:

In a newsletter generated by a special Keepsake Quilting mail order catalog in Spring 1998, Jinny Beyer, the famous quilt entrepreneur and designer of fabrics, reveals the following:

Quote:

The industry standard for light fading of 100% cotton fabric is 20 hours! This means that an 'apparel fabric' (the industry category that 100% cotton falls into) must hold its color up to 20 hours in direct sunlight; after that time, if it fades, the industry is not held responsible.

SharonC

I am so glad I saw this post. I have material in clear containers and I have the blinds OPEN....guess you plans on rearranging this afternoon (have already closed the blinds). I have way too much $ invested in fabric to run the risk of fading/losing some. Thanks for the information--I never thought of it.

Prism99

How long is the closet light on? Any type of light -- not just sunlight -- fades fabric. This includes flourescent lighting.

If the industry standard for fading is 20 hours, it may be that the time the closet is light is on is adding up over time. If, for example, the light is on for 10 minutes a day 6 days a week, the 20 hours would be up in less than half a year.

Some dyes are more colorfast than others, so there is quite a variation in colorfastness among colors. Some are much better than others. Sounds like greens and blues may be among the least resistant to fading.