Fabrics used for dyeing

I used white homespun (approx a cheaper local version of Kona) for my last dye experiments and the results were great. I haven't used specific PDF for ages. No adjutments, just a thorough washing before starting the process - which is normally required anyway - but very hot to get any openess in the weave to shrink together (if that makes any sense to you). I was using Procion MX dyes.

is a straight colour run I did some time ago on a mix of calico, homespun and heavier muslin just because I didn't have enough of any fabric on hand to do the whole set from just one. I wouldn't have any problem using them all in one project. Colour intensity and dye take-up was pretty common to all, but maybe I was just lucky(?). I prefer a heavier/more solid feel to fabrics I am going to use in some applique projects (eg. Jacobean panels for cushions) and a lighter weight for piecing and other applique styles (eg. delicate floral and bird designs, or detailed piecing and FPP) so I will probably continue to choose fabrics for dying according to how they feel and just take my chances. I chose some ToT prints for overdying from a big stack with my eyes shut, just by how they felt. I also like the feel of dyed quilters muslin - the good quality one.

Anyway - I don't think any dyed fabric is so ugly it can't be used, so I just take my chances. Worst case scenario - string pieced into big blocks to make quilt backs lol.

Hope you will share pictures of your experiments!?

I have not tried any dye experiments, Leslie, but I'm wondering if you are meaning Kona white or Kona Bay white. There's just a major difference in the two. Polly

Polly-

I meant the real heavy Kona- the fabric that's one step away from canvas! The Kona Bay is the silky one you were searching for, wasn't it? Actually, if the Kona Bay is not "thin" I might like that one even better. (The "thin" is a real problem I've had with some PDF fabrics.)What I want to avoid is see-thru. I want very intense colors- I need a fabric that the seams won't shadow thru in piecing or applique. Would the Kona Bay meet that requirement?

Leslie & The Furbabies> I have not tried any dye experiments, Leslie, but I'm wondering if you are

WOW, Cheryl! You got some glorious colors! I've had a bit of a problem with getting your intensity of colors... mine are a bit more "faded" looking. I really like yours. I have a magazine article from some ten years ago with a formula for making a 24 step color wheel. I'm going to do that with FQs and then use the leftover dyes for experiments and playing with multicolor dyeing and some techniques for different splotches and speckles and "things". I also use the Procion dyes- I like them and am comfortable with the steps required.

Leslie & The Furbabies > I used white homespun (approx a cheaper local version of

Those are beautiful colors! I'm thinking of trying my hand at dying too. Do you have to do anything special to get the mottled/marbled appearance? Inquiring minds want to know ;-)

Nope - that just happens. Degree of marbling varies with how much/often you shake the jar mostly.

Formula for this 24step wheel is pretty standard, nothing special or hard about it.

Next time, instead of trying to measure 1/16th of a teaspoon I am going to add all the individual colour quantities and mix to a convenient solution, then use a measured syringe (a big one, my vet gave me some) and just mix by fluid measures. It would have to be easier and more accurate.

So if I need 1 tspn + 2 X 1/2tspn + 2 X 1/2 1/4tspn etc etc of yellow for a 24 step wheel, and it all adds up to

63/16 tspns I will just mix slightly less than 4 tspns in 63ml of water and measure it as a liquid in the syringe. What do the dyers here think? Will this work? I hate trying to measure this stuff as a powder.

Debi-

Once the fabrics are prepared and then soaking in the actual dye solution, the more you move/stir/scrunch around the fabrics the more "solid" the colors will be. If you leave them tightly scrunched then you get the mottled shading. You can also pleat, fold, dip/dunk or do about anything to get different shadings. There's a dye thickener that you can use and then paint the dyes on the fabric with a paint brush or sponge it on or stamp/stencil it on or whatever tickles your fancy. It's a blast! I like to drizzle the leftover dyes, in several colors, onto the fabric to play around and get surprised. You'll have a blast! Dharma is a good place to buy your supplies. As an aside, I had an invoice from Dharma from May, 2000- when I ordered some more dyes last month I was very happily surprised to see that their prices hadn't increased since then! Quite amazing!

Leslie & The Furbabies > Those are beautiful colors! I'm thinking of trying my hand at dying too. Do

Debi-

I just made a WebShot album for some photos of my more (ahem!) adventurous dye> Those are beautiful colors! I'm thinking of trying my hand at dying too. Do

I don't think I have ever used a PDF fabric. PDF is often a dollar or more per yard more expensive. I just wash everything hard before I use it, to make sure all the sizing, optical brightners and suchlike junk is out of it. I havent yet used Kona in particular for more than a few FQs, but they were no trouble at all. I didn't do a thing differently.

NightMist

Leslie, I'm thinking you're going to need a 'hands-on' shopping experience. The solid Konas that I've had were, as you say, one step away from canvas - except the last order of white. It was thin and coarse. Maybe they were having a bad day. After it got here, I certainly was having a bad day. Not, mind you, that I have a terrible temper, but after I washed and dried it, I carelessly folded it and put it in a bag. The bag is labeled 'White Trash' and tossed in the top of the hall closet. My only dye projects had to do with white lace that needed an antique tint. As directed by the experts, I soaked it in tea to give it an aged look. Now the experts say that the acid in the tea will cause the lace to rot. Swell. Peachy. What ever would we do without experts? Polly

"Leslie wrote >