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Immersion Dyeing Cotton, Linen and Rayon...
All may be dyed very simply in a plastic bucket, a laundry tub or even a washing machine. Amounts of dyes and chemicals used depend upon the dry weight of the fabric to be dyed and the
depth of colour desired. It's a simple procedure and the dyed colour is permanent. One 25 gr dye package will dye one pound of fabric (about 3 - 4 yards) a very deep colour.
Immersion Dyeing Wool...
Immersion Dyeing Silk...
- May be dyed using the method for Cotton OR Wool, listed above.
We dye all our silks using the Cotton method. Make sure to add white vinegar to the last rinse.
Tie Dye General Information...
- Dazzling colour for sure! Shirts can be made quickly and efficiently whether doing one or a hundred. Immersion Tie Dyeing Click at left for either the long or short method, a 25 gr package does 3 or 4 size large a deep colour. or
Rainbow Tie Dyeing Click at left to find how to make rainbows of colour by squirting or painting the colours onto the fabric.
Also see our project for
Quick Immersion Tie Dyeing. The perfect group or party activity.
Batik...
Reactive MX has long been the choice for Batik because .....the dyes are permanent, the colours mix well and the waxed fabric is dyed without melting the wax. Use either the Immersion
Method for Cotton or the Rainbow Tie Dyeing Instructions listed above.
Zip Lock Dyeing...
Quilter's have great fun with this method dyeing variations of one colour or dyeing a run using two colours in varying strength. You can't get a colour that doesn't coordinate
beautifully.
Painting Solutions...
- Use thin solutions for Dye Colour Blends, the Serti Technique, Microwave Dyeing, Spray Dyeing or Batik. We advise using these dyes on cottons but prefer the silk painting dyes for
vibrant colour on silk.
Print Pastes...
May be used for block printing, silk-screening, stenciling or hand painting. Thickened dyes are often used instead of fabric paints because they become part of the fabric and don't
change the drape.
Fixing Reactive MX...
- The dyes are fixed in the dye bath in all immersion methods.
- The painted fabric is sealed in plastic while still damp and placed in a warm place to "batch set" for 24 to 48 hours.
- The damp fabric may be completely sealed and microwave fixed.
- The dry fabric may be wrapped for traditional steam fixing. Steam 15 minutes.
- The dry fabric may be steam ironed for 5 minutes.
Hint...
Thin solutions for painting colour blends or doing tie dyeing may be applied to fabric that has been presoaked in a fixer solution of Sodium Carbonate and water or The Sodium Carbonate may be added directly to the dye solution
Helpful Hint...Once Sodium Carbonate is added to the dye mixture the dye will retain its bonding ability for about 4 hours. Add the
fixer just before using the dye OR soak the fabric in a fixer solution prior to colour application.
About Water Temperature...Although known as a cold water dye, Reactive MX performs best in lukewarm water, 30° - 40° C (85° - 105°
F). Turquoise is the exception, to get best colour use warmer water, not over 60° C (140° F).
About Safety...
- In addition to normal precautions, see safety at Answers to Good Questions.
Wear a disposable dust mask when handling dye powders...dissolve the dye powders in water before beginning projects with children.
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