Garment Care & Washing Instructions
Here's how to take care of your cyanotype and painted clothing so that it lasts for years to come!
Here's a general "how-to" for taking care of your Mellifera Modern original piece
My items are handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces of wearable art that need extra care and love to flourish, just like you! Here are some care tips that can extend the life of your new favorite garment. Keep washing to as much of a minimum as possible. I recommend hand-washing. Here are some more detailed directions:
Cyanotype
Cyanotype prints are permanent. However, yellowing may occur if prints are exposed to the wrong environments. Washing cyanotype fabrics in cold water using non-phosphate detergents is essential. Turn your item inside out & do not use any soap or detergent containing phosphates, bleach, or sodium. Hand washing is best, but you can also machine wash alone on the gentle cycle in cold water. Air dry or tumble dry alone on low heat. Do not dry in direct sunlight. Over washing may cause the print to fade. If fading occurs, soaking the print in a dilute bath of vinegar or hydrogen peroxide can usually restore it to its original vibrancy. Remember, it is normal for natural dye to change over time.
Painted
Your garment is painted with an acrylic based fabric paint, meaning its base is plastic. Due to this, if not cared for properly the paint may start to crack or even peel. I recommend ONLY handwashing in cold water and spot cleaning whenever possible. Air dry or tumble dry alone on low-medium heat. Do not dry in direct sunlight. With proper care, you should not experience any issues with your painted garment cracking or peeling.
History of Cyanotype
Cyanotype is a photographic printing process that produces a cyan-blue print. In fact, the word comes from Ancient Greek κυάνεος - kuáneos, "dark blue". English scientist and astronomer Sir John Herschel discovered the process in 1842. It uses two chemicals: ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide. When these solutions are combined, they become UV light sensitive. Commercial use came in 1872, the year after Herschel's death. Marion and Company of Paris were the first to market the cyanotype. It's advantages were its low cost and simplicity of processing which only required water. With the manufacture of blueprint papers, it remained the dominant reprographic process until the 1940s and was used by engineers well into the 20th century. Prints can be made from a variety of things, ranging from digital negatives to everyday objects. After UV exposure, the unreacted solution is rinsed off with running water leaving only the exposed image. John Mercer in the 1850s used the process for printing photographs onto cotton textiles and discovered means of toning the cyanotype violet, green, brown, red, or black. Today, companies such as SolarFast produce chemicals that are already tinted to other colors.
Cyanotype on Fabric
As someone who dabbles in many facets of art and photography, I was drawn to cyanotype because of its versatility. I started printing on denim in 2022 and instantly fell in love with the process and the results. It is very similar to printing on paper. I coat the fabric in the solution, either with a brush or by soaking the whole garment. After it has dried, I'm able to create magic! I overlay my pressed flowers, leaves, or digital negatives and expose it in the sun. After a good rinse and a quick wash, it's ready to wear! Although this process often takes longer (sometimes multiple days!) than printing on paper due to the lengthy drying times of the fabric and longer exposure times, I find that the results are well worth the wait.
