What tips for dyeing larger pieces of fabric?

Many of our customers have graduated to higher dyeing levels, wishing to color larger pieces of silk fabric. The following information outlines helpful procedures for that type of dyeing with the ‘Colorhue’ instant set silk dyes.

Please be advised if you wish to attempt to dye larger pieces of silk, you should have some previous experience with the ‘Colorhue’ dyes since they have a unique personality that are different than other types of dyes.

The first rule of thumb in dyeing fabrics: As amateur dyers we do not have the professional equipment, dye experience nor the ‘quality control’ needed for dyeing a piece of fabric perfectly even. If you need a piece of evenly dyed fabric I suggest you purchase fabric already commercially dyed.

Fabric Preparation and Dye Equipment

Pre-wash the fabric for possible shrinkage and to remove any fabric finishes. Experiment with the colors you wish to dye on small swatches of the same fabric you will be dyeing. Once you have settled on the color you wish, it is imperative to make enough of a ‘mother batch’ to dye the entire piece. It is impossible to duplicate the exact colors again, so the ‘mother batch’ must be sufficient.

Important fact: As you are dip dyeing larger pieces of fabric, the tub or container used to do the dyeing must have a large bottom radius, in order to move that fabric around in the dye bath. As an example—dyeing a 4-5 yard piece of fabric requires a container the size of a bath tub and enough dye bath to do the entire project.

To make the task of large piece dyeing easier I recommend the following procedure. Before dyeing, cut the fabric into the pieces the approximate sizes that are needed for your particular project. As an example-- if dyeing 3-4 yards of fabric for a blouse, first cut out the pattern pieces in squares or rectangles a few inches larger than the separate front, back and sleeve pieces indicated in the pattern. Or if dyeing pieces for a quilt, cut the larger yardage into to smaller pieces for easier handling (even long strips of fabric are easier to handle than long yardage).

With these smaller pieces it is possible to use a smaller vessel, such as a baby bath tub to do the entire dye project. This will eliminate the job a wrestling with a large piece of wet fabric. From the ‘mother batch’ you take enough of the dye to do several of the cut pieces at a time.

Dyeing the Silk Pieces

It is advisable to pre-soak the silk pieces in clear water until the silk fibers are well saturated. Into the dye container place enough dye from the ‘mother batch’ to cover the fabric pieces to be colored. Immediately immerse all portions of the pre-soaked fabric in the dye bath. Continue to rotate and stir the fabrics in the dye bath until the right color has been achieved. It is always advisable to start dyeing the pieces lighter colors and add more color if needed. (The dye colors can always be added but impossible to lighten once dyed). The longer the silk fibers are left in the dye, the more of that color will be absorbed. This dip dyeing procedure should give a pretty even dyeing result as long as you have continued to rotate and move the pieces in the dye bath.

An example of dyeing the blouse pieces (already referenced): First, dye the two sleeve pieces together until you get the desired color. Second, add more dye to the bath from the ‘mother batch’ and do the blouse back. Finally, add more dye from the ‘mother batch’ and color the blouse fronts. Be sure to match the colors of the separate pieces when the fabrics are wet. There will not be perfect matches to the various pieces, but close enough in color value that it isn’t noticeable. Dry the fabric pieces and iron them to determine their true color. (Wet silk fibers will be twice as dark as the dyed pieces).

A final overdye of all the pieces can be done at one time. The over dye is a very light dye bath and can be a different color than the original color. The over dye helps to compliment and coordinate the coloration of the already dyed fabric. This over dye technique lends a gorgeous patina to the silks that is very satisfying to your eye. It is recommended that you experiment with smaller scrapes, before over dyeing the entire project.

Dye Variation Techniques

Crowding the silk fabrics in the dye bath, various fabric crunch methods and any creasing or pleating of the fabrics will give color patterning to the silks. The dyes will seek the creases and do all the work for you. Some of these advanced dyeing procedures are outlined in Ginny Eckley’s book, Fabric Painting (see the BOOKS menu on this web site for more information about the book).

Maggie Backman © 2000-2008 Things Japanese
9805 NE 116 St, PMB 7160
Kirkland, WA 98034-4248
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What tips for dyeing larger pieces of fabric?

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