Opening weekend MDRF

[Sir Edward]

Cool.

BTW, faire is CLOSED today. Too much wind/water damage on the site and on crownsville rd.

[Sir Edward]

Sir Edward,   http://www.shoutitout.com/en-US/Products/Pages/shout-color-catcher.aspx.
 I've never tried it, but it came to my mind after I made my torse out of red and white then realized I had not pre-washed it. Figured it couldn't hurt.

I'm trying these today. I'll let you all know how it turns out. In a way I'm lucky it started bleeding toward the bottom from a little rain, before I tried to wash the whole thing. I read the directions on the box, and they suggest using 2 or 3 sheets if you have new or non-colorfast items. I threw in 4. And when it's done, I'll throw those out, and probably run the machine again with another 4. I'm hoping this saves me having too much bleed, but I'd need to wash it sooner or later anyway, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this does the trick.

I'm going to pre-wash the rest of that fabric before I make another surcoat from it too.

[Sir Edward]

I'm trying these today. I'll let you all know how it turns out. In a way I'm lucky it started bleeding toward the bottom from a little rain, before I tried to wash the whole thing. I read the directions on the box, and they suggest using 2 or 3 sheets if you have new or non-colorfast items. I threw in 4. And when it's done, I'll throw those out, and probably run the machine again with another 4. I'm hoping this saves me having too much bleed, but I'd need to wash it sooner or later anyway, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this does the trick.

Well, the machine was finishing up the first run when I typed that. Guess what? It works. And not just a little. It's amazing how well this is working. It's pulling dye out that already bled, in addition to absorbing new bleed. Awesome.

The dye-absorbing sheets went in white, came out a solid blue, and the white linen looked great. I'm running it a second time now.

Kat and I are having a good laugh over here. All the knightly guys trading laundry tips.

[Sir Wolf]

well u know you should always pre wash your linens. it helps with shrinkage and making the fiber become a tighter weave as well. remember to wash in cold and dry with no heat!

[Sir Edward]

Yeah, I usually do. I always have. This is the first time I forgot.

[SirNathanQ]

Next up, on modern chivalry, Tips to do the dishes in gauntlets without drying out your hands!

[Sir Brian]

lol! You just had to go there Sir Nathan! That is pretty much how I wash my maille gauntlets! I put them on and wash them with mild laundry detergent in the sink! I suppose I could save a step by washing the dishes at the same time instead of cleaning out the sink first in order to wash my gauntlets! 

[Sir Wolf]

you know there is rumor that in the 16th century they used mail bits to help scrub dishes and pans didnt you? heheheh

[Sir William]

I'm trying these today. I'll let you all know how it turns out. In a way I'm lucky it started bleeding toward the bottom from a little rain, before I tried to wash the whole thing. I read the directions on the box, and they suggest using 2 or 3 sheets if you have new or non-colorfast items. I threw in 4. And when it's done, I'll throw those out, and probably run the machine again with another 4. I'm hoping this saves me having too much bleed, but I'd need to wash it sooner or later anyway, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this does the trick.

Well, the machine was finishing up the first run when I typed that. Guess what? It works. And not just a little. It's amazing how well this is working. It's pulling dye out that already bled, in addition to absorbing new bleed. Awesome.

The dye-absorbing sheets went in white, came out a solid blue, and the white linen looked great. I'm running it a second time now.

Kat and I are having a good laugh over here. All the knightly guys trading laundry tips.

This is excellent news....the cross on my surcoat bled heavily...I've got splashes of red from my scabbard as well...almost looks like I might've gotten a little bloody.  Hmm...I may want to leave that like that...Templars weren't overly clean after all, right? 

[Sir Rodney]

While we’re trading laundry tips, let’s not forget the power of the sun.  I made the mistake of storing my heraldic tabard in direct sunlight!     The right shoulder has now faded due to the sun.     Don’t do this…

[Sir William]

Ha, learned that lesson the hard way myself...one of my katana has faded ito wrap due to exposure to the sun.  I keep the blinds closed but a sliver of light always made it through...just enough to bleach the handle wrapping.  lol

[Sir Edward]

Yeah, sunlight (UV specifically) is quite evil. I have a tapestry/banner that I hung over a window (instead of doing the normal thing and getting curtains). Even though the blinds were kept shut most of the time, the back-side of that tapestry has lost nearly all of its color.

Even the little bits of sun that make it through the blinds can ruin things. It's nuts.

EDIT: BTW the weather is really nice today here. And of course it was nice on Monday/Tuesday last week. Why did the storm have to hit right on the weekend? All this nice armor-weather is being wasted on work-days. I'm hoping this coming weekend looks good.

[Sir Brian]

Hear hear! I just returned back from a walking inspection of the waterfront and thought the entire time what wonderful weather to wear full armor!

[Sir William]

I had a great time, rain notwithstanding- one of the things I wanted to experience was wearing armor under adverse weather conditions...even though it was mostly mail (coif, hauberk) I also wore splinted bracers and plate greaves.  Naturally the moisture made my clothing heavier than usual, and the cloak was especially waterlogged.  I also noticed that my hauberk is stainless but my coif is not; the splinted bracers from Merc Tailor held up better (showed less signs of rust) than the plate greaves from Mad Matt's armory...probably just a matter of the protectants and polishes used (the greaves are brand new and basically untreated).  Also, mud gets into everything! 

I'd do it all over again given the chance. 

Nathan, I hope your Dad feels better soon...being sick sucks.

[Sir Matthew]

I've spent hours after faire the last few weekends cleaning my armor, musket and sword. We had rain at least once every weekend since opening, I've gone through more oil this season already than the last 5 put together. blueing the armor did help inhibit rusting, but does still happen.