Anyone with abundant experience at DYEING CLOTH successfully. As in quality results. My experience has always produced double butt-ugly results.
Dyeing CLOTH Successfully.
- Thread starter Sourdough
- Start date
Help Support Homesteading & Country Living Forum:
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2017
- Messages
- 19,716
I've done some dyeing, some successfully and some not so successfully.
Fabric must be a natural fiber such as cotton, wool, silk or linen. Forget dyeing synthetic fabrics. There are people who paint synthetic fabrics.
It has been a while since I have dyed anything because it can be messy. In order for a dye to adhere to natural fabrics, it needs something called a mordant. Remember the vinegar that is used in dyeing Easter eggs? Vinegar is a mordant.
I'd bet that there are some instructional videos on YouTube to help with the process.
Fabric must be a natural fiber such as cotton, wool, silk or linen. Forget dyeing synthetic fabrics. There are people who paint synthetic fabrics.
It has been a while since I have dyed anything because it can be messy. In order for a dye to adhere to natural fabrics, it needs something called a mordant. Remember the vinegar that is used in dyeing Easter eggs? Vinegar is a mordant.
I'd bet that there are some instructional videos on YouTube to help with the process.
What color are you after?
(PS - yes, some more successfully than others. The proper mordant for both the fabric and dye are key.)
How hot does the water want to be......??? I knd'a remember my mother dyeing things in the fifties. Huge pot of boiling water. Poking it and swishing it around with the broom handle. The broom handle changed color.
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2017
- Messages
- 18,441
That sounds pretty messy. I'd use a bucket I didn't care about.
I have not had good luck in the washer.
I prefer a big old canning pot and yes, hot - I would have said just below a boil so it doesn't spit at you.
Also, afterwards, you can set the dye with vinegar water.
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2017
- Messages
- 19,716
Dyeing in washing machines can really make a big mess. Ever go to a laundry mat? It has been a long time since I have, but there are signs posted that say it is not allowed.
I'd use a bucket or pot that I didn't care about, and do it outside on the ground. Dye can get everywhere. It will get on towels, rugs, etc., and be there forever. Every time I have done dyeing, it was outdoors.
Hot water? Yes. But hot water can wreak havoc with wool. Hot water will cause fabrics to shrink.
One of the garments I want to dye is 100% COTTON.
Most cotton garments are preshrunk anymore. Cotton typically accepts dye well.
