They are simply allowed to become permanent stains, and this happens best through patience. The longer the dyes sit unmolested, the richer and more permanent the final colors will be. The fabric is taken down from the rafters where it has been out of harm's way, and placed in a warm, inviting bath of fresh clear water. Here it soaks at its own leisure, patiently allowing the paste to dissolve away. Then, as with the spank of the newborn's behind, it is given a vigorous swish as it is yanked up out of the water by its selvage edge, gloriously proclaiming itself to the world.
Air drying is the final stage in bringing forth a new personality into our family of textiles.
The paste has been washed away to reveal a highly detailed pattern. One would be a fool or worse not check it out. As touched upon earlier, soy milk is used as the binding agent for some dyes. It is also used as an undercoating, or sizing, for all dyes mentioned in this book. This includes both natural and chemical dyes.