reversing dye transfer

[Camille Breeze <museumtextiles@xxxxxxxxx>]

I'm wondering if anyone have advice on how I could reverse dye transfer on a centennial quilt. It has blocks of printed cotton fabric sent from each of the then-39 states. It was at one time folded in half face in, and some dyes have transferred to the facing blocks. The colors that have transferred the most include madder and copper-toned madder (which transfer as a red tone), and teal blue (which transfers a greener shade than the original). The bright Turkey red of the strips dividing the blocks didn't transfer at all fortunately. The quilt looks to have never been washed, and is in otherwise pristine condition with none of the usual color-based losses in dark-on-white prints.

 

Testing with water and acetic acid produced no movement and I appreciate any feedback before possibly going forward.

 

Thanks, Camille
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Camille Myers Breeze
Museum Textile Services
195 Andover St, PO Box 5004
Andover, MA 01810 USA
978-851-0110
www.museumtextiles.com