Practical Fabric Dyeing

 Immersion Fabric Dyeing

NOTES:

·         This dye is permanent and will stain everything it comes in contact with.

·         Do not breathe in the dye powder when measuring it out.

·         Do not use any items that you use for food preparation for dyeing.  Have a dedicated set of utensils, pots, etc for dyeing only.

·         Do not store unused solutions in your every day refrigerator.

Materials:

Dye:  Procion MX Reactive Dyes for room temperature dyeing. 

Available from:

            Pro Chemical and Dye:  www.prochemical.com

            Dharma Trading Company: www.dharmatrading.com

Soda Ash:  Chemically this is sodium carbonate.  It can be bought from one of the companies that sells dye or from a pool supply store, known as pH Up.  It is integral to setting the dye by making the solution alkaline, resulting in a chemical reaction.  If added to a dye solution, the dye cannot be reused.

Salt:  Regular table salt, preferably  the non- iodized variety.  (Needed to get the best depth of shade.)

Urea:  Optional – to help the dye powder dissolve

Synthrapol:  A concentrated surfactant for washing fabric.  Use before dyeing to remove sizing and after dyeing to remove excess dye

Fabric:  These directions are intended for 100% cotton fabric. 

The fabric should be scoured first by laundering in a washing machine using the hottest water, ½ tsp of Synthrapol and ½ C of powdered soda ash.  This step is unnecessary if using PFD (Prepared for dyeing) fabric.

Directions:

Prepare Solutions:

Washing Soda:  Dissolve ½ Cup in 1/2 gallon of warm water. Label.

Dye:     For dyeing fat quarters

To make 1 pint (16 oz) of dye solution, use the following chart

:

SHADE                                  PALE                          MEDIUM                   DARK

Dye Powder                            1/4 tsp                         1/2 tsp                         1 tsp

Table Salt                                4 tsp                            5 tsp                            6 tsp

Preparing Dye Solution:

Set aside 2 C of water:

 In a 16 oz bottle:

Add salt

Add dye using a funnel

Add 2 tsp of water to make a slurry

Add remainder of 2 cups of water

Shake to dissolve

Label

General Directions for Applying the Dye:

Scour fabric if necessary

Soak fabric in soda ash solution for at least 15 minutes

Apply dye – Agitate for a more solid look. 

                   Leave alone for a mottled look

Let batch overnight

Pour off the dye

Rinse in room temperature water until water runs clear

Wash in washing machine with 1 tsp Synthrapol and hot water     

Resources:

Pro Chemical & Dye: www.prochem.com

Dharma Trading: www.dharmatrading.com

Paula Burch: www.pburch.net

Terri Stegmillerwww.terristegmiller.com

 

Two Color Gradation Dyeing

Materials:

          2 yards fabric, cut into fat quarters

          2 colors of MX fiber reactive dye

          Synthrapol

          Soda Ash

          Table salt

Directions:

Prepare solutions:

Soda Ash:  Dissolve 1/2C soda ash in ½ gallon warm water

Dye Concentrate: Dissolve 2 tsp of dye in 1 cup room temperature water – first make a slurry of the dye powder, add a pinch of urea and 5 tsp salt and then add the remainder of the water

Scour fabric and place in soda ash solution

Set up 8 dye containers, label 1 thru 8

Color #1:

#1: Measure 1/2C of the dye concentrate into the first container. Add ½ C water.

#2: Refill dye concentrate cup with room temperature water to the 1 C line.  Measure ½ C into the 2^nd container. 

#3: Refill dye concentrate cup with room temperature water to the 1 C line.  Measure 1/2C into the 3^rd container.

#4: Refill dye concentrate cup with room temperature water to the 1 C line.  Measure ½ C into the 4th container. 

#5:Refill dye concentrate cup with room temperature water to the 1 C line.  Measure 1/2C into the 5th container.

#6:Refill dye concentrate cup with room temperature water to the 1 C line.

Measure 1/2C into the 6^th container.  Set aside remaining dye.

#7. Refill dye concentrate cup with room temperature water to the 1 C line.  Measure 1/2C into the 7th container.

#8:No Color#1

Color #2:

Add dye concentrate to the dye buckets in gthe reverse order, starting with container #6 and ending with container #1.

#8: Measure 1/2C of the dye concentrate into the 8th container.  Add 1/2C  of water.

#7:  Refill dye concentrate cup with room temperature water to the 1 C line.  Measure ½ C into the 7th container. 

#6:  Refill dye concentrate cup with room temperature water to the 1 C line.  Measure 1/2C into the 6th container.

#5:   Refill dye concentrate cup with room temperature water to the 1 C line.  Measure ½ C into the 5th container. 

#4:  Refill dye concentrate cup with room temperature water to the 1 C line.  Measure 1/2C into the 4th container.

#3:  Refill dye concentrate cup with room temperature water to the 1 C line.

Measure 1/2C into the 3rd container. 

#2:  Refill dye concentrate cup with room temperature water to the 1 C line. Measure 1/2C into the 2^nd container. 

#1: No Color #2

Add a fat quarter or the soda soaked fabric to each container.  Agitate.  Keep agitating for 10 minutes if a more solid look is desired.

Let batch overnight.

Pour off the dye

Rinse in room temperature water until water runs clear

Wash in washing machine with 1 tsp Synthrapol and hot water