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The marbling process goes like this: I buy untreated white silk. The silk is prewashed in a solution called Synthrapol, which is a detergent that rids the silk of any impurities or dirt on the surface. The silk is then treated with alum, a chemical that craves water. This allows the silk to accept the marbling paint permanently. My next steps are to iron the alumed silk to make it smooth, and prepare the marbling solution.
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The marbling solution is a combination of carrageenan (powdered algae) and water. This amalgam is poured into large trays. Marbling paint is dropped on the surface of this thickened water to create a hand painted design.
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The paint droplets are now combed with combs and styluses. I design these myself. (Well, my husband makes me the trays and combs.) The final hand painted marbling design is dependent on where you put the teeth of the combs and styluses, so lots of care must be taken in making your hand tools!
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Once the marbling paint is combed properly, the silk is laid on the surface of the carrageenan base, and the silk permanently accepts the hand painted combed design. The final steps of marbling are to rinse, dry, and heat set, and iron each marbled silk scarf. Heat setting is done in a very hot dryer for an hour. Not to worry; Silk is tough stuff. All my hand painted marbled silk scarves, neckties, and shawls are now permanently set and hand washable.
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