My hand dyeing experience
#14
Originally Posted by Ducky
My apologies. I thought you were fairly new. You're just the silent type :lol:
Ok, everyone. First, Moonpi is right about the mottling. I was going for the mottled look, and I used a low water immersion dyeing technique, basically putting the fat quarter in a bowl, pouring the cup of dye liquid on it, squeezing it out, crumpling up the fat quarter, putting it in a beer cup, and pouring the dye from the bowl into the cup. Weighted with a couple polished stones. I will give the website link, but if you want solid colour, you can also wet the fabric with the dye, and put it in a ziploc type bag.
Ok, so, I learned, somewhat, how to do this from this website. Lots of instructions and recipes. Watch the recipes, though. Unless I missed something in reading, the concentrate recipes require more water to mix with the powder than she calls for. Perhaps she scaled it down and lost something in the process, or I just can't read. Anyway, this site will take up your whole day.
http://fabricdyeing101.blogspot.com/...roduction.html
I purchased my dyes, because I'm in Canada, at G&S in Toronto (no duty at the border, no currency exchange neccessary). They also have silk dyes, fabrics, etc. They were very fast, and online purchases can be made, by phone, etc.
http://www.gsdye.com/index.html
Another place to purchase could be another site I came across in Saskatchewan:
http://www.harmonyhanddyes.com/index.html
For Americans, as was mentioned above, Dharma Trading Co. has TONS of stuff. I purchased my fabric, a 25 yard bolt, from them. Even though it had to come to Canada, I had it in days. With exchange and shipping, my fabric cost about $4.40 a yard.
http://www.dharmatrading.com/
If I missed any questions, I will come back (grocery shopping time...blech) and try to catch them. But it was very easy, and yes, you can't use your food stuff for it, and use it again for food. Dedicated bowls, measuring spoons, etc. Oh, and don't buy your measuring spoons at the dollar store. They are FAAAR from accurate. Get a new set for your kitchen, and use your old ones that you know are accurate. For a bowl I used a Gladware/Ziploc kind of disposable container that's about 4x4, and about 4 inches deep. Worked great. Plastic ice cream buckets, kitty litter plastic containers with lids, etc.
#15
Your dye job(s) is/are absolutely beautiful. I can definitely see a gorgeous mariners compass out of these. Can't believe its the first time dying fabric what a great job. :)
Please post the link we're on the edge of our seats.
Please post the link we're on the edge of our seats.
#16
Oh, and gradations are really easy to do. Make your dye concentrate, then use 8 tsp for one, 6 tsp for one, 4 for the next, 2 for the next, etc. Cool how easy it is, eh? :lol:
#19
Originally Posted by Ducky
Oh, wow. What wonderful information, rb. Thank you very much!!!!!
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