Rit (Brand Name) Dye

[Frances]

Today I dyed 12 yards of cheesecloth, twice. As usual for me nothing is as simple as it seems – but being determined usually gets me to the result I want.


Step 1 – Put on old navy sweat shirt and sweat pants. The blue dye will not show if it splashes.


Step 2 – Used Candy/Deep Fry thermometer to determine that tap hot water is about 140 degrees


Step 3 – Followed the instructions on www.ritstudio.com/techniques/the-basics/sink-or-bucket-technique/

Step 3 – Stretched dyed fabric over chairs on the porch to dry. UGH! The fabric is much lighter than I anticipated – almost lavender. I know it was not that color when I put it out to dry.
 

Step 4 – Start over


Step 5 – Followed the instructions on www.ritstudio.com/techniques/the-basics/stovetop-technique/

Step 6 – Again, stretched it out over chairs on the porch to dry. YEAH! The color held - it is perfect.


Conclusions – Even though I started with very hot water with the sink method it probably cooled well below 140 degrees when the fabric was added. With the stove top method I was able to maintain a dye temperature of about 160 to 170 degrees. This may be the key to getting consistent results.

I left the pot of dye sitting on range after I turned it off for about 45 minutes to let it cool down - I had visions of carrying a pot of hot blue water and fabric and ending up redecorating my kitchen with it.


The “Sink Method” may work for some colors as I was successful using it with red Rit dye on cheesecloth.


Oh and don’t forget to put rubber gloves on when rinsing – blue hands are not pretty.
 

I also noted that Rit Specialists will create the formula for custom colors using their dyes. www.ritstudio.com/color-library/request-a-color-formula/
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1st dye
2nd dye 
              

[Pandagirl]

Since you used rit dye which is meant to dye cotton or wool did you wet it first and soak it in vinegar or something? They wouldn't tell you to do that but it does facilitate the process, The rit dyes are meant to do both, but then you are getting a two for one which isn't necessarily the most efficient. Procion dyes work well for cotton and aren't terribly hard to work with. It may have eliminated the second steps. Just an fyi. You are definitely persistent!!

[lyn]

That's a lot of fabric - well done!

I've only ever used the procion dyes on cheesecloth and I soaked the cloth first to get rid of the natural 'yellow' - it also helps the dye to be more even if the cheesecloth is already wet.

[Frances]

Yes, the instructions say to wet the fabric before dipping it in the dye. Rit stresses the use of hot water so I believe the color did not set the first time because my water did not remain hot. Rit is available at Hobby Lobby and I usually have a 40% off coupon. And its one of those familiar things that reminds me of my Mom. Hobby Lobby also has Dylon (Trade Name)Dye. To my knowlege I don't have a store near me that sells Procion Dyes.

[MTRuth]

Rit dye works and you've definitely learned something with this experience for sure.

[Teri Berry]

I'm not familiar with rit dyes (I use procion for cotton) but have noticed that the dry weight of fabric and weight of dye powder are important factors when predicting the intensity of the final colour. The packet should give some guidance on how much to use.

[Pandagirl]

Frances, you can order procion dyes from Dharma Trading, or if you have a Dick Blick Art store nearby they carry the Jaquard procion dyes there. www.dharmatrading.com

[Frances]

Thanks Marilyn. Teri Rit Dyes gives weight. I don't think I said that I weighed my fabric before I mixed the dye. Rit dye has been a staple in the US for a 100 years. Their web site has lots of different ideas for dyeing. Salt is added to the dye when using cotton.

After I started this post I decided I wanted more information and in my research I found this article:   www.wardrobesupplies.com/blog/2014/05/21/home-fabric-dyes-101/

Based on it I would used the Procion dye if I was dyeing a textile that I was going to felt with and was afraid that it might fade/bleed and discolor the wool or another fabric. Interesting I made something recently with some very dark blue roving that bled and turned my hands blue. It did not cause an issue because I did not use any other color with it.

Also I learned that Jacquard Procion Dye can be ordered on the Wal-Mart web site and delivered to your store. (No Shipping Costs)

[zed]

Teri, Rit is like Dylon used to be.

It's really good. I got some off ebay. I did a cheapskate's guide to Dylon and Rit, for dyeing small amounts:

feltingandfiberstudio.com/2012/07/15/dyeing-cotton-fabrics/

The dylon dye was rubbish though, I've had better tea stains.

Someone should do a guide to how Rit can be used for Cellulose or protein, I always hear people saying, but not how exactly (and not the bloke's answer of use salt for cellulose and vinegar for silk )

[koffipot]

I'm not keen on Dylon either.

[Shepherdess]

Rit is called a union dye. It will dye both wool and cellulose fibers because it has both dyes in it. You are always throwing away half the dye. I suppose in theory you should be able to remove one fiber and add the other and the right auxiliaries to use it up. It's great if you want to dye once or occasionally. If you dye much it is an expensive way to do it.

Commercially dyed fiber can bleed too. I ruined a red on white scarf because the red country roving bled. if it's critical test it. Most acid dye bleeds wash out because there is no acid or heat to set it.