I am using the inexpensive muslin from JoAnn Fabrics. The colors from the Pro Chemical kit are designated A, B & C, so I used a permanent fabric marker and wrote the color letters on each piece of fabric. Since I am going to follow the directions for one set and use my method for the other, I underlined one letter on the pieces I will dye my way:
The instructions call for 5 tablespoons of dye for each fat eighth. I am only dyeing 6 colors, instead of 30, and will just use a simple 50/50 mix for every other color. The letters signify the following:
A - Old Rose
AB - Old Rose / Camel
B - Camel
BC = Camel / Stormy Gray
C - Stormy Gray
CA - Stormy Gray / Old Rose
I have my activator and dye mixed and my small containers ready with fabric:
From the instructions - place the dry fabric in a cup and add 2 T. (tablespoons) of water to moisten the fabric. The dry fabric is the row in the lower portion of the image. I wet my fabric first, scrunch it up and put it into the container. The next step is to pour the 5 T. of dye over each piece of fabric:
The next step is to pour 2 T. of dye activator into each cup.
The instructions leave it up to you whether you want to leave as is or ’smoosh’ the fabric. I gave each a squeeze and flipped them over. Then I dyed the other six. I put the fabric in a larger container and pour the dye AND the soda ash (activator) over the fabric.
I ’smoosh’ it around and flip it over several times to try to get even coverage. Re-scrunch, squeeze slightly and put the fabric back into the smaller container. Then I pour the dye and solution from the larger container over the fabric and let it sit.
Since I need my table for other projects, I stacked up the containers, put them in a kitty litter tray and moved them out of the way.
Patience is a Virtue - Part Two
Now, you wait. The instructions call for 4 to 24 hours. My magic number is 6. I did a test years ago and saw no appreciable difference in darkening after 4 hours. But, I was stuck on 6 hours, so a minimum of 6 it is. Usually it is longer. For the over dyes, 4 hours is o.k. since I dye the piece 3 or 4 times.
My Predictions
Looking at the cups, I predict there will be a difference between the methods. How do I know this? Experience. The dyes used in this exercise are mixes. The component pure dyes strike (react) at different rates. Usually yellows first, then reds and blues bringing up the rear. Without agitating the dye/activator solution (like my method), the individual dyes will do their thing and the results may not be what you expect. Whether you like the result is another issue. It depends on how you are going to use the fabric. Sometimes an ‘ugly’ fabric is just the ticket.
Posted under Dye Class
Posted by Janet on January 26, 2009