Devorant

For Devoré ('burn out') effects on mixed fibre fabrics

Devorant removes cellulose fibres but leaves non-cellulose untouched. That means it will remove cotton, linen, viscose, rayon but not synthetics or silk (as silk is protein-based). Many different effects can be achieved depending on the blend and type of fabric but it is particularly effective on Viscose/Silk Velvet which has a viscose pile (cellulose) and a silk backing (protein). The pile will be removed leaving the backing untouched.

100gms Aluminium Sulphate
12gms Glycerine
280gms Indalca Stock Paste (25gms Indalca Powder + 280mls Cold Water)
165ml Cold Water

= 557gms Devorant Paste

Prepare Indalca Stock Paste

Slowly add 25gms Indalca Powder to 280ml Cold Water with rapid stirring (blender/liquidiser/hand blender) to avoid lumps

Making up Devorant Paste

Place the Indalca Stock Paste into a container that will hold at least 750ml of paste
Weigh out 100gms Aluminium Sulphate into separate mixing container.
Add 12gms Glycerine to the Aluminium Sulphate, followed by 165ml Cold Water.
Stir well.
Add the Aluminium Sulphate paste to the Indalca Stock Paste, stirring well.
The Devorant Paste is now ready.

Devoré Process (given for Silk/Viscose velvet, but try the same process on other combination fabrics - smooth as well as velvet)

Apply Devorant on the back of the velvet. The gel will permeate the backing fibre and 'nip off' the base of the pile. If you want a sculpted, 'shaved' appearance, apply the gel to the pile and complete the process at an earlier stage.
Devorant can be applied using a brush, a nozzle bottle and various print techniques. Screen-printing works particularly effectively. Whichever way it is applied, ensure good penetration into the fabric.
Once dried the fabric will be quite crisp. To activate Devorant, bake in hot air at 160-170°C for 5 mins or press with an iron. Start with the iron set on silk setting, gradually increasing the temperature until the areas treated with Devorant turn brown. Work in a well ventilated area, ideally with an extractor fan, and/or wear a respirator mask if processing in any volume. Test the effectiveness by rubbing gently with your finger, or use an old towel as a 'rubber'. If the fibres fall away easily, continue to remove by rubbing. Otherwise, continue with ironing.
The 'scorched' areas of fibre are most easily removed by gently rubbing the area under running water. The fibres will generally just fall away leaving the non-cellulose fibres intact.

POINTS TO REMEMBER

Once applied and dried the process should be completed as soon as possible as Devorant will gradually work its way through all fibres if left for days!
Use before dyeing not after as the silk is made more prone to 'holing' in the dyeing process
Do a test piece to start with to get temperatures, length of ironing etc correct before embarking on a full piece. Each fibre or blend of fibres will be different.
Make only as much as you will reasonably expect to get through in your project. Devorant will become less effective over time

HEALTH & SAFETY

Protective clothing ie gloves, dust mask, apron should be worn
Aluminium Sulphate gives off acid fumes when heated so work in a well ventilated area.
Aluminium Sulphate causes chemical burns when wet, so protect your skin and wash off immediately in cold running water

Devorant is in the Fabric Art section of our catalogue, on page 30: take me to the catalogue download page...