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It's sale time! 25% off EVERYTHING we sell until September 7, 2008! The price you see on the website will be discounted when you check out. Cool, huh? For more details, check out the sale info page.
Need help choosing the correct dye? Check this out!
Acid Dyes
For Silk, Wool, Feathers and Nylon
(Note: We also have dyes for cotton, rayon, linen or hemp. Check out our other dye page for info!)
Washing Machine Dyeing for Fabric:
We recommend using the washing machine even for small amounts of fabric because it is convenient and results are reproducible. The variables in dyeing are temperature, dye concentration, time and amount of fabric. The washing machine maintains consistent time, temperature and agitation so the amount of dye and fabric are the only things you need be concerned with.
Don't be afraid. The only acid in this dye is the white vinegar you use as a setting agent. (I think they should have spent a bit more time finding the right name... but no one asks me!) This is a warm water dye that produces bright, lightfast, washfast and drycleanable results. It is perfect for silk, wool, nylon, feathers or any protein fiber. 1/2oz (which is conveniently the size of the jar we sell) will dye about 2 pounds of dry fiber.
We recommend using the washing machine even for small amounts of fabric because it is convenient and results are reproducible. The variables in dyeing are temperature, dye concentration, time and amount of fabric. The washing machine maintains consistent time, temperature and agitation so the amount of dye and fabric are the only things you need be concerned with. You do need to figure out how to turn your washing machine back so that it continues to agitate without draining or adding water. (I know what you are going to ask-- won't it hurt my washing machine? A washing machine is designed to clean clothes without absorbing the offending dirt. That said, wash houses usually have big signs that say somthing to the effect of "Don't even think about it!".)
How do I do it?
In the machine: Set the washing machine to gentle cycle, hot wash/cool rinse and fill to the lowest level appropriate for the amount of fabric being dyed. Add dye powder and agitate until dissolved. Some dye colors are more dense than others, so use 1/2 jar for one pound of fabric, 1/4 jar for 1/2 lb. of fabric, etc. Add clean fiber and agitate two minutes. Add one cup of vinegar being careful not to pour directly onto fabric. Before wash cycle is complete, turn machine off and examine fabric. Fabric looks much darker wet than it does dry. To test your results, dye a scrap of material with your main load and dry with a hair dryer. At this point, you may let the machine continue through its cycle or start again, adding more dye if desired to increase the depth of the shade. Wash in cool water and Synthrapol or liquid soap.
Stove Top Method:
Fill a metal (not aluminum) pot with just enough hot or warm water for the fabric to swim freely, turn on the heat. Add the dye powder to the pot and stir. Normally, in this procedure one would add 2 to 4% of the dry weight of the fabric in dye powder. For example, if you are dying 1 lb. (16 oz.) of fabric, use 1/3 to 2/3 of an ounce of dye. Add the fabric to the dye pot. Raise the temperature to 180°F to boiling (feathers need a minimum temp of 170°). Add 1/4 cup of vinegar. Maintain temperature and stir occasionally for 1/2 hour. Wash in soap and warm water. The final color depends on the time in the dye bath, concentration of the dye and temperature of the dye bath. (Note: safety dictates that a pot you use for dyeing should not be used to cook in afterwards. Go to Goodwill and get a used pot and reserve it only for dyeing!
And now for the hints!
If you are dyeing feathers, you should soak the feathers and then let them air dry over something to give them a bit of shape.Shrinkage? This dye is very good for wool, but you may have some shrinkage because you do need to use hot water. You can reduce the shrinkage by bringing the temperature up with the fiber in the water, and then bringing the temperature down with the fiber in (rather than tossing the fiber into the hot water). But no one can guarantee that you will have no shrinkage. You decide if it is worth the risk.Silk dyes wonderfully! If you want some immediate gratification take a silk camisole and dye it. |
| 600 Ecru |
601 Sun Yellow |
602 Bright Yellow |
603 Golden Yellow |
| 604 Burnt Orange |
605 Pumpkin Orange |
606 Deep Orange |
607 Salmon |
| 608 Pink |
609 Scarlet |
610 Burgundy |
611 Vermillion |
| 612 Lilac |
613 Purple |
614 Violet |
615 Periwinkle |
| 616 Russet |
617 Cherry Red |
618 Fire Red |
619 Crimson |
| 620 Hot Fuchsia |
621 Sky Blue |
622 Sapphire Blue |
623 Brilliant Blue |
| 624 Turquoise |
625 Royal Blue |
626 Navy Blue |
627 Kelly Green |
| 628 Chartreuse |
629 Emerald |
630 Spruce |
631 Teal |
| 632 Chestnut |
633 Aztec Gold |
634 Olive |
635 Brown |
| 636 Gold Ocher |
637 Gun Metal |
638 Silver Grey |
639 Jet Black |
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