Resolve to Save: Learn Fabric Dyeing Techniques

re: Resolve to Save: Learn Fabric Dyeing Techniques

GraceP — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 16:11:49 GMT

I have done a great deal of low-water immersion dyeing. My tip is to dive in and try it. You can even start with "ugly" fabric and over-dye it to help build up confidence. I have a BS in Chemistry from Berkeley and we like to joke about the tie-dye test before graduation. It takes place right after the (real) swim test. ;-)

If you want a more even color, my sister's tip is to buy a plunger and use that to gently slosh your goods around the dye bucket.

A gram scale is very helpful to help you get the color intensity you want on the first try. Procion dyes come with a guide for each color, e.g. 2-4% by weight of goods. I weigh my fabric on the scale. For instance, if it is 200 g, I know I need to measure out 4 g of dye (if it is a 2% color). Blues and blacks often need 4% by weight. Working in grams is so much easier than working in oz and pounds.

badmomgoodmom.blogspot.com/.../Dyeing

re: Resolve to Save: Learn Fabric Dyeing Techniques

Vivika_Blog — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 15:09:21 GMT

Hi,

Glad you liked the article!

Most commercial fabrics (and purchased clothing) have sizing in them that can interfere with the dyeing process. PFD fabric comes without this. If you didn't purchase PFD fabric, no problem--just wash the fabric before dyeing.

As far as staining your sink is concerned, just be sure to scrub the sink promptly after you rinse your fabrics and it should be fine.

re: Resolve to Save: Learn Fabric Dyeing Techniques

robin cornwell — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 23:11:29 GMT

I love the simplicity of low immersion dyeing, no salt and big pots to mess with. I do mine in zip lock bags. This winter I have been hanging them in a bucket over the wood stove to keep them warm!

re: Resolve to Save: Learn Fabric Dyeing Techniques

donnah130 — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 18:09:17 GMT

In step 10, when you place one of the colored items in your sink to rinse, if you have a white utility sink, will it stain the sink? doe it have to be a stainless steel sink?

re: Resolve to Save: Learn Fabric Dyeing Techniques

nikeenglish — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 17:29:12 GMT

Thanks for a clear, well-explained article! I have one question: what is a PFD (prepared for dyeing) fabric? One that goes through soaking in the soda-ash solution? Or has some process been applied to it before the soda ash soak?

Thanks--

Carolynn

re: Resolve to Save: Learn Fabric Dyeing Techniques

karinlisa — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:24:35 GMT

Thanks for the instructive article. I have and love Candy's video. When I hasd problems printing the dye instructions, she helped me via facebook. I really enjoy your artcles

Karin