|
Silk Painting With Opulence Reactive Dyes
|
|
Introduction...
Opulence Dyes are a Reactive H Fiber Reactive dye concentrate. They produce
brilliant permanent colours and are safe and easy to use. The dyes will bond to all natural fibers: cotton, linen, hemp, rayon, silk, wool also wood, paper, leather, reeds and feathers. Fixed fabrics are
light fast and may be washed or dry cleaned. Opulence Dyes are manufactured for direct application techniques. Store dyes in a cool dark place, shelf life is a minimum of one year.
|
|
Safety...
Opulence dyes do not require the use of respirators for toxic fumes. Keep
everything out of the reach of small children. Do not leave anything exposed in the work area for pets to drink because we know they do. Never use any kitchen implements for mixing or storing dyes,
paints or chemicals. Wear suitable gloves.
|
|
Supplies and Materials...
- Opulence Silk Dyes
- Suspension frame
- Glass or plastic containers
- Bamboo brushes
|
- TNA Detergent
- Masking tape and straight pins
- Eyedroppers
|
|
Supplies for Steam Fixing...
- Unprinted newsprint or old newspapers
- A large pot
- two bath towels
- two wire racks
|
|
For Specific Techniques...
- The Salt Swirl Technique...Coarse Salt Crystals
- Resist Boundary Lines...A design transfer pen, Opulence Regular Resist and a metal tipped resist applicator.
- Microwave Colour Blends...White vinegar, microwave oven, Pyrex dish, microwaveable Saran Wrap.
- Thickened Dye Technique...Opulence Dye Binder. Note: do not use with Opulence Dye #OP120 Yellow.
|
|
General Instructions...
- Hand wash the silk in hot water with a capful of Lissapol or TNA detergent. Rinse well in lukewarm
water. Roll in a towel to blot moisture. Press dry...silk setting, dry iron.
- Suspend the silk on the frame using masking tape and straight pins or
suspension hooks and elastic. See diagram opposite.
- Soak the bamboo brush in a small amount of warm water to remove sizing.
- Opulence Fabric Dyes are ready to use. All colours may be intermixed. Add water to make the
colours lighter (pastel).
|
|
|
The Swirl Design Technique...
- Moisten the suspended silk with water (damp not dripping). Apply desired colours. Soak up any
pools of dye using the tip of a blotted brush.
- While the colours are still wet sprinkle on the coarse salt crystals.
Leave space between crystals so they have room to make a design "pull". Leave until dry, then brush the salt off. For maximum colour blending allow the silk to sag while drying or prop one side of
the frame higher than the other.
|
|
The Boundary Resist Technique...
- Trace a pattern onto the silk using a design transfer pen. Suspend the
silk onto a frame. Fill the resist applicator and screw on the metal tip. Shake the resist to the tip, hold in a slanted position (like a pencil). Place the tip down onto the silk and move it along
the design lines squeezing gently. Keep the tip in contact with the silk to make even lines. Make sure all lines meet (no small gaps). Leave to dry in a shady location.
- Apply the dye with a fully loaded bamboo brush. Paint each enclosed area
from the center out. Do not touch the resist lines, let the dye flow to the line. Paint each enclosed area to completion, water marks will appear if wet dye is placed over dry dye. To paint large
areas apply the dye from one side brushing to the opposite side. To paint around a central design begin at any point and paint first in one direction and then in the other until all the silk has been
painted.
- Leave the silk on the frame until it is dry.
|
|
The Hard Edge Technique...
- Opulence Dye Binder is used to hold the dye in place on the fabric for block printing,
silk-screening, hand painting and adding detail.
- Mix it like you would make a white sauce. Begin with a small amount of
binder and stir in dye bit by bit until the mixture is a creamy consistency. Water may be added to lighten the colour. The mixture should flow off a spoon for hand painting.
- Apply as desired. Let dry.
|
|
Microwave Colour Blends...
- Fast and easy - this technique will give you a freeform colour blended silk scarf in under half an hour.
- Mix 1 part white vinegar to 2 parts water, make enough to submerge the silk, store excess for
reuse. Submerge the silk in the mixture, gently squeeze out the excess.
- Place the silk in a microwave safe container. Apply dye as desired. Seal
with microwaveable Saran. Put a full glass of water and the sealed scarf into the microwave. Cook on high for 3 minutes in a 700 watt unit, 4 minutes in a 500 watt unit.
- Remove using oven mitts. Leave covered until cool. Remove and wash following the washing
instructions described below.
|
|
Steam Fixing The Dye...
- The dye must be steam set to become permanent for all techniques except microwave colour blends.
- Roll the fabric in two layers of unprinted newsprint or old newspaper as
per diagram opposite.
- Half fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Refer to diagram below. Place a wire rack
over the top of the pot and cover it with a folded bath towel. Place the second wire rack on top of the bath towel and place the wrapped silk on the second rack. Cover the silk with the second folded
bath towel. Steam for one hour, keep the water at a medum boil
- Remove and unwrap the silk. Leave it to air set 24 to 48 hours before
washing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Washing The Silk...
- Eliminate unbounded excess dye by rinsing the silk in cold running water until the water runs clear.
- Repeat using warm and then hot water.
- Do a hot soapy water wash using a capful of TNA Detergent. Reduce water temperature gradually to a
cool rinse. Add 4 Tbs. of white vinegar per gallon of water to the final rinse. Add a bit of fabric softener if desired. Blot excess moisture in a towel and press dry (dry iron, silk setting).
|
|
Click here to locate Opulence Reactive Dyes in our catalogue
|
|
To Top
|
Back To Instruction Main Page
|
