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Post by Shepherdess on May 14, 2014 22:55:51 GMT
You can make up stock solutions to use for dying. This way you do not have to handle the powder as often. Dyes are dangerous in powder form because you can inhale them.
If I remember right it was 1 2/3 teaspoon in 1 liter of water. You can use a different amount if you want as long as you always do it the same you can recreate your colours using the formulas you makeup. That is as long as you write down how much of each colour solution you used.
Then you use 1 cc on a syringe for every gram of dry wool you are dying. It's a great way to mix colours. You just take some of each solutions and mix together the colour you want. Usually you add dye solution to the dye pot so you would need to dilute it some if you are direct dying and steaming.
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Post by Pandagirl on May 14, 2014 23:24:31 GMT
That's what I do to avoid having to mix too often. I use salsa jars which hold a little more than a cup (I think 10 oz. but I only use 1 cup of water) and use 1 tsp powder. It's so much easier to mix colors as well. I hadn't heard. To use the syringe, but it sounds like a good measure.
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Post by Shepherdess on May 15, 2014 2:16:36 GMT
It does work really well doesn't it. You can get different size syringes at a farm store or pharmacy (chemist for your Brits). It is so easy to measure small amounts and make accurate records for reproducing colours.
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on May 15, 2014 12:50:04 GMT
Great idea, Ann! That is something I will have to add to my felting repertoire. It would also be helpful to begin making records of dyeing solution measurements.
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Post by Pandagirl on May 15, 2014 14:02:30 GMT
Cathy, American Science supply and surplus store www.sciplus.com/s?sStr=Syringes&x=-11&y=-506. They carry a lot of things very cheaply so if you're in the area it's worthwhile to stop. That's where I got all my syringes and other off the wall stuff. There is one on Milwaukee ave in the Chicago area. I go to the Geneva store.
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on May 15, 2014 22:52:01 GMT
Thanks for the link, Marilyn, and I will give them a look.
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Post by Pandagirl on May 15, 2014 22:53:57 GMT
You're welcome. I've never been to the one in Chicago, but the one in Geneva is a funky little store packed full of "stuff." ;-)
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on May 16, 2014 13:00:26 GMT
The Chicago store is about ten minutes away from me by car! I looked them up on the internet--what a fun looking store. I prefer to shop online, but this one would be fun to visit in person. I'll keep you posted!
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Post by koffipot on May 17, 2014 5:49:04 GMT
I keep stock dyes in jars too. Then mix them to get secondary colours. Syringes are useful as are dropper bottles.
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on May 17, 2014 13:53:49 GMT
Do the stock dyes in jars keep indefinitely, or is there a time limit on how long they last?
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Post by Pandagirl on May 17, 2014 14:18:30 GMT
Acid dyes keep for a very long time if properly sealed. I usually put a piece of plastic wrap over the jar to help seal it more tightly. I've had some of mine for 3 years. My basement is very cool which helps.
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on May 17, 2014 17:42:37 GMT
That's good to know, Marilyn. Then the most dangerous part of using acid dyes can be done infrequently (the mixing of the powder). I have a lot of storage area in the garage, but in the winter it gets down to the 40's, sometimes a bit lower. That should work as long as it doesn't freeze.
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Post by Pandagirl on May 17, 2014 18:20:54 GMT
Unless your garage gets too hot in summer.
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Post by Shepherdess on May 18, 2014 12:54:29 GMT
I have used some after freezing and they were fine. I wouldn't recommend it as a thing to do but wouldn't automatically throw it out if they froze.
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Post by koffipot on May 18, 2014 14:15:00 GMT
Always worth a try. "Waste not want not" - I'm all for it.
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