Piles of Dyed Roving

[Pandagirl]

Cathy, the only thing I don't like about the procion dyes is that they don't last once in liquid form. The acid dyes once mixed will last a long time if stored in a cool place. I save salsa or cheese dip jars -- the round short ones to store the acid dyes in.

Ann is right the silk dye won't work on the cheesecloth. The procion dyes will. I've had good luck with the green silk and acid dyes getting black. I haven't tried it with the procion.

My big concern when first using the powder was the danger of inhaling. If you wear a mask and gloves and keep dampened newspaper under your work surface you limit the amount of dust in the air. Some people even use a box to mix in to contain the powder or in a sink. It's really not that bad after the first time if you are careful. ;-)

Let us know when you decide to redye how things turn out.

[luvswool and dyestuff]

Thanks, Ann and Marilyn, for the info. about dyes. There is a lot to learn! When I get ready to do the dyes, I will definitely keep you in the loop. I'll also probably have more questions.

[Shepherdess]

Great, we will do our best to be helpful.

[carole aka craftywoman]

I love what you have done with your dyes and the colours are fabulous, the other day I bought dye powders for wool and a kilo of carded sheep fleece, but I haven't a clue where to start. The instructions are in Bulgarian!!! but it does talk about vinegar, I only want to do small amounts as practice, and someone suggested cutting the powder with salt to make it more manageable for measuring - but I'm still at a loss, any suggestions would be very helpful. I'm used to using merino and the sheep felt is quite harsh and wiry.

After writing this I realised that the post has pages of info, so helpful, you've given me courage to go off and have a go :-)

[carole aka craftywoman]

thank you Zed for the link, it was exactly what I was looking for - wish me luck :-)

[zed]

Good Luck!

And if anyone goes to Ikea, have a look if they still do measuring spoons with a 1ml tiny spoon, they're brilliant for small amounts of dyes.

[Shepherdess]

you can buy a dye scale at dharma and prochem too I thing. it is tiny and made to measure tiny bits of dye. I just use the end of one of the long skinny popsicle stick to take a little out and mix in a dollar store measuring cups. if you want to be accurate you need to measure.

[Pandagirl]

Carole, Are they acid or Procion dyes? Vinegar is usually used with acid dyes and salt and soda ash with Procion. If you can't read the instructions but can determine which type it is try going to dharmatrading.com they have some nice tutorials on dyeing. Or you could try any other dye makers website for general instructions. Good luck. I look forward to seeing your experiments.

[luvswool and dyestuff]

Carole, You are brave to go ahead with unknown wool type and dyeing! Looking forward to seeing your experiments.

[carole aka craftywoman]

I am having so much fun, they are acid dyes, and I am following Zed's instructions, the first lot included silk carrier rods - I am over the moon, the colours are so good and variegated I can't wait for them to dry to make something up - a sunset is shouting out at me, and they are so structural even tho I've been pulling the fibres apart and stretching them, I am having a fun Saturday, the silk cocoons came out great too, but now I've pulled those apart as well, the throwsters waste is just gorgeous and the first lot of fleece is very interesting!!! more to come out soon - it's like Christmas in my kitchen. Of course I don't have any of the proper equip - so it's little measuring spoons, saucepans with cake trays and metal colanders for the steaming - and it's working :-)

[Pandagirl]

You go girl! Whatever works. I can't wait to see the results. Don't wait to make something show us the Christmas in the kitchen! Enjoy!

[MTRuth]

Way to go Carole - sounds like you're having a blast. We need some photos please

[Shepherdess]

sounds like you are now a dye addict too. It is a lot of fun waiting to see what comes out. I like exhaust baths because you are never sure what you will get. An exhaust bath is when you dye in a big pot but the wool dosen't take up all the dye. take the wool out and put some new stuff in and see what you get when it soaks up the rest of the dye

[carole aka craftywoman]

I'll take some photo's today, some of it looks like jewels, I like the idea of an exhaust bath :-)

[carole aka craftywoman]

I'll show you the pretty ones first, these are the silk carriers rods