Dyeing Cellulose Fibers - Cotton and Flax/Linen
This class is designed to teach the basics of dyeing cellulose fibers using good procedure and technique. It will include both immersion dyeing and hand application. You will learn how to get vibrant and light fast color onto fabric, yarn or fibers for spinning.
The first part of this class will be lecture based, and the second half will be hands-on.
COST - $50.00 plus a supply fee of $5.00 for using shop dyes and $2.00 for auxilaries
If you bring your own dyes and jars and auxiliaries, you can waive the supply fee. We will use soda ash and synthrapol for all the dye techniques. Hand spplication will require urea, and vat dyers will require salt.
Please bring ONLY ProMX dye for cellulose fibers. Bring no more than 3 colors, and a jar for each. You may also purchase these dyes and auxiliaries (except salt) in the shop.
Things to bring:
notebook, pen or pencil
apron, gloves, dust mask
Choose any one or two : Cellulose fabric, yarn or fibers *NOT over 3 ounces each please)
Roll of paper towels
Saran wrap
Gallon size ziploc or plastic bag for each dyed fiber to take home
**We will be exploring both vat dyeing (using one color) and hand-application (no more than 3 colors)
**If you want to use hand application, also bring at least 3 sponge brushes
**If you want to vat dye, bring a carton of table salt
This is a full day class
Class Syllabus
I. Properties of Cotton and Flax
II. Dyes and their Auxiliaries
a. ProMX Reactive dye
b. Soda Ash, Dye Activator
c. Urea, Thickeners
d. Salt
e. Synthrapol
III. Proper wet out procedure
a. How to prepare for wetting
b. Cellulose waxes
c. Why heat is important
d. Hard or Soft water?
e. Metaphos
IV. Immersion dyeing
a. Fiber preparation
b. Dye preparation
c. Setting color
V. Hand Application
a. Fiber preparation
b. Soda Ash soak
c. Dye preparation
d. Urea water and thickeners
e. Setting, cold batching, black garbage bag
f. Rinsing and Drying
VI. Other Applications
a. Low Water Immersion
b. Dip Dyeing
c. Sprinkle Dyeing
d. Drip Dyeing
e. Using Spray Bottles