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Post by Pandagirl on Mar 1, 2014 20:13:53 GMT
Yes a steamer would have to be dedicated as well. You wouldn't have to have expensive equipment, thrift stores can be useful. I use an old ceramic pot with one of the vegetable steamer inserts and that works fine.
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Mar 1, 2014 22:08:02 GMT
One of my sons left behind an old rice cooker in the garage…that's steam, so that could work…what do you think?
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Post by Pandagirl on Mar 1, 2014 22:16:03 GMT
I think that sounds great if it's big enough. If nothing else, it's a place to start. :-)
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Mar 2, 2014 1:52:31 GMT
Thanks, Marilyn…yes, a good place to start!
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Post by koffipot on Mar 2, 2014 6:41:43 GMT
I use Lanaset dyes from W.O.W. too. Zed's right, they're good value and you don't have to buy Industrial quantities!
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Post by Shepherdess on Mar 2, 2014 13:56:11 GMT
yes the rice steamer should work
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Mar 2, 2014 14:26:15 GMT
great, and thanks! hope my son doesn't ask for his rice cooker back...
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Post by zed on Mar 3, 2014 10:33:50 GMT
I used my old steamer from Asda, they're only about £10 new.
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Mar 3, 2014 22:44:46 GMT
Inspired by Ruth's piles of dyed roving, I also dyed stuff over the weekend, but I was playing with food colors again using the microwave method. I think I am through with these Wilton colors though, because the color didn't set well on my roving, and the cheesecloth was even worse. The roving was supposed to be copper and black, but as you can see, it turned out orange and purple! Attachment Deleted
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Mar 3, 2014 22:57:03 GMT
And then there's the cheesecloth-- IMG_5292 by catwycliff, on Flickr This one was dyed black and turned out lavender and pinky white!!
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Post by Pandagirl on Mar 3, 2014 23:38:10 GMT
Cathy, I'm sorry your experiment didn't work with the food dye. But you can always overdye them with acid or silk dyes for the wool and procion mx for the cheesecloth. Dick Blick carries the Jacquuard procion mx and the liquid silk green dyes. Or, of course, Dharma Trading carries just about everything. You may want to try the Green silk dyes, it's easier than mixing the powder dyes. Good luck!
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Mar 4, 2014 1:37:15 GMT
Oh, thanks, Marilyn! It was a bit frustrating, but I'm beginning to understand why serious fiber artists use the more "heavy duty" dyes. That's in my future, for sure, but not at the top of my list right now. Good to know I can find the dyes at Dick Blick, which is fairly nearby.
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Post by Pandagirl on Mar 4, 2014 2:13:22 GMT
They don't carry acid dyes. But as I said using the green silk may be another step toward the powders without the hassle. Although you probably won't get real vibrant colors unless you use them straight. I will probably use the green for the china silk I need for Fiona's class. I'll post my results when I do.
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Mar 4, 2014 14:04:12 GMT
Good, I'll look forward to seeing your results. So the "green silk" dyes do not produce fumes? I like the idea of using a more moderate approach to dyeing.
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Post by Shepherdess on Mar 4, 2014 15:20:36 GMT
loveswool, the dye for the wool will not work on the cheese cloth. It is a plant fiber. Acid dye only works on protein (animal) fibers. Silk is the exception, it will take acid dye and plant dye. I hadn't noticed any fumes with the acid dyes other than the vinegar smell. I would think there would be some good art supply stores in Chicago where you could buy acid dye in liquid form. Dharma sells them but then you are paying to ship water. your roving is close to copper and black. More dye would be my recommendation. black is a hard one to get. it is not a true colour but a combination of dye. you often end up with a really dark shad of what ever they were using most . like navy blue or deep green or red.
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