Trying Dyeing

[lindsay]

I haven’t done any dyeing since I was a child but I needed some coloured 14 mic merino tops for a workshop (I only had white) so I dug out some dyes I’d bought ages ago and thought, why not have a go? 

I started off with some 21 mic merino as the 14 mic is much more expensive. There’s a photo in the thread ‘dyeing newbie questions’. I liked what I got so went ahead with the 14 mic and also some silk hankies, kid mohair top and Corriedale (thinking I might like to make a bag from hand dyed wool soon). 

Next I tried blues & greens with silk fabric and some broken super fine alpaca & nylon mix. I’ve loved the dyeing. It’s so joyful to make colours! 

[lindsay]

Second post as I find I can’t add too many links in one post. Next I tried some mystery wool that I’d picked out of a big bin labelled ‘lap waste’. I know it’s wool as it smells like wool but I don’t know what type. It’s very spongy. It also has something with more sheen blended in. I think it’s silk and it dyed like silk. 

This felted really nicely. 

I used the same black dye for some more of the precious 14 mic merino and was equally happy. I will use this to make a felted neck piece. 

[lindsay]

A few days later we got an unusual amount of snow. I’ve heard of snow & ice dyeing through this forum so I thought I’d make the most of this opportunity to try snow dyeing while I had the chance. 

I didn’t really know what I was doing - no idea how much snow or dye - but I didn’t want to spend too long researching it so I just had a go. 

The snow melted much more slowly than I’d expected and I lost my nerve a little near the end. I took out the last bit of snow and dye as it looked like there was already plenty of colour in the bucket and I was worried about everything sitting in all the colours and making it muddy. Was this a reasonable worry or should I have let it run its course? 

[lindsay]

I set the dye with steam.  Here is some of the silk fabric

Silk and prefelt

I love the results and can’t wait to use them. 

[lindsay]

Last one for now, I promise!

I found this particularly interesting. This is woven cashmere fabric. There was a fade dye on it that went blue, white, pink from left to right which you can still just see but all the pattern is from the dye. Not sure how I will use this. I need to do a sample to see how it felts. 

Finally, a silk chiffon scarf that was a sheer white with yellow dots. I think the process has caused the yellow dots to transfer to other parts of the fabric. 

[Karen]

Some great results Lindsay! I particularly like the grey Merino.

[lindsay]

Feb 16, 2021 12:50:41 GMT Karen said:

Some great results Lindsay! I particularly like the grey Merino.

Thanks, Karen. I tried to make a softer dove grey using varying amounts of different colours but the diluted black was much more successful. 

[lyn]

You have been busy! It's fascinating to see what results from dyeing - and you got some great results!

[Shepherdess]

Wow, you have been busy. Great results. You did really well with the silk hankies. The edges, in particular, are hard to do without white spots. I am sure Ruth will chime in about the snow dying. Now you've started you won't be able to stop. It's lots of fun.

[MTRuth]

Congratulations Lindsay on just jumping in and giving it a go. Sounds like you're hooked already I know that I don't buy any colored wool or silk anymore. I dye my own as I usually like the colors better and most things I do need mottled colors.

In regards to ice dyeing, it looks like you did great. It is OK to let it melt all the way. I usually just leave mine overnight so I won't keep looking at it. Usually, by the time it gets down to lying in the bottom with all the mix of colors, the dye has already set. I take it you were using acid dyes? I usually use fiber reactive dyes (Procion MX) with this process. Another way to keep the fabric out of the bottom is to put everything up on a grid/screen so the melt off is on the bottom under the grid/screen. I actually wrote a post about this process with silk scarves and it is scheduled for next Monday on Feb. 22. So I think I included most of the info and photos of the process in that post. But certainly ask more questions if you have them.

Interesting that your yellow dots transferred with the dye process. I look forward to seeing your creations with your hand dyed fabric and wool.

[lindsay]

Thanks for all that info, Ruth. I did wonder about putting big pebbles in the bottom of the bucket so the water would drip through. Yes, I used acid dyes as that’s what I had. Just soaked the fabric first in water & vinegar. I will look into the other dyes you mention.

I look forward to reading your upcoming post very much. I’m unlikely to have another opportunity in the near future to dye with snow but I certainly could try with ice.

[janekiwi]

Fabulous results.