Newsflash: I'm not a scientist! I flunked chemistry and never even considered taking physics at school. However, I'm cheap. I mean, I don't like to spend a lot of money if I can avoid it. Considering Bubble Jet Set costs anywhere from $15 to $22 a bottle, I decided to try to make my own. I do not want the disaster that occurred after I washed my Bunny Quilt to happen again!
I searched the internet for a homemade Bubble Jet Set recipe. Here is the most simple version I could find:
2 tablespoons of Alum (the stuff used when canning pickles)
2 1/2 teaspoons washing soda (not baking soda) (I found this in the grocery store)
1/2 teaspoon liquid fabric softner
1 cup of hot water
Mix the first 3 ingredients and then add the hot water. Stir. It will be foamy.
When the foam eases, soak your fabric for 15 minutes. Wring out and dry completely. I poured the leftover mix into a baby food jar to save for future use.
When my fabric was dry (I cheated and put it in the dryer), I ironed freezer paper to it and ran it through my printer. I used the same bunny image I used for my quilt.
 |
| Image pre-wash |
 |
| Image post-wash |
Yay! It worked! Before I use a printed image on a quilt or table topper again, however, I think I will do more testing, ahem, experimenting. It faded a bit, but nothing like before! For the most part: SUCCESS!
One more thing: School's out! That means sewing summer clothes for my littlest daughter! Yep, every summer, I try to make a few dresses and skirts for her. Here is Charlotte's first skirt for Summer 2012:
 |
| Butterick 4722 View E |
I used a Hawaiian looking blue batik.
I know, last year I said I would NOT sew ruffles again, but I couldn't resist. I thought this skirt was just too cute!
Tootles!
Pin It
