Re: I'm gonna take the plunge into hand dye

Which cold water dye are you using? I'm not sure they are all the same, and the answer may depend on what dye you have.

A couple of summers ago we did a series of on-line hand-dyeing classes. They are archived at

(click on hand dyes). Most ofyour questions may be answered there. Are you familiar with a color wheel? That's how you know which dyes to mix to get which colors. If you aren't familiar with it, either let me know what you're trying to get, or run to your local library and check out a book. But you'll also need to do a certain amount of trial and error. Very few dye colors are "pure" colors, and what I call the "undertones" of the pigments will alter your final product. Sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. Experience is the only way to learn that, unfortunately.

How do you get different designs? We covered that a bit in the online lessons, and there are many good books on the subject. (Check out

's book section to get an idea of some goodtitles.) You'll also find more info on hand dyeing in their how-to area. Hope that helps!

Sounds like a birthday party my DDIL gave a couple of years ago for one of my DGDs. Guests were told to come in "old clothes." Before cake and punch, they gathered around the backyard picnic table, wearing parental paramedic gloves and all-encompassing paternal (old) shirts buttoned backwards. Each child brought a pre-washed white T-shirt. My DDIL had condiment squeeze bottles filled with different colors of dyes, and turned the kids loose with them. A good time was had by all, and some of the resulting products were even pretty.

Nell in Austin

So, what color did you dye your hands? Inquiring minds want to know.... ok.. so Im just nosy this time. :-) Diana

Yellow and orange! the fabric came out mostly orange with some nice light to medium yellow hues to it... right now it is already being used as the backing on the GrandMother's Flower Garden quilt that I am doing. The top is done in browns, tans and deep henna colors. The yellow/orange backing is a great addition to the quilt. I have been gone all weekend to my sister's house and took it along with me. I was able to get some done on it even while I was watch out for her kiddlets while she was at work. The fabric was a hit even to the kids they like the colors real well. For me I think I would have liked more of the yellow and less of the orange.. I know that I will do this again and next time will have a better handle on just what it is I want to accomplish. This is definitely a learning experience and on that will go a very long way. juliasb

Diana Curtis wrote: