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Microwave Dyeing
This quick and easy dyeing technique provides instant gratification and many oohs and aahs. You can expect to have a finished hand painted silk scarf in about half an hour. It is also an
excellent method of dyeing blended or variegated colour on natural fabrics, ribbons, embroidery threads or garments. Just remember everything that goes into the microwave must be
microwave safe.
Click here to view microwave samples
Supplies...
Opulence Dyes or Pebeo Soie Dyes, plain white household vinegar and article to be dyed.
Equipment...
Pyrex dish and microwave safe saran wrap or a heavy duty zip lock bag. Thirsty brushes, eyedroppers, spray bottles or syringes to apply the dye. Rubber gloves and 100% cotton
twine or sisal rope if doing tied patterns.
Step 1. Mix The Presoak Solution...
Mix one part white vinegar and two parts soft water. Remove the scarf from the package, fold or tie it into the desired pattern then place it into the vinegar/water solution. When it
is completely saturated, lift the scarf out and let the excess vinegar/water drip off. Gently squeeze out excess water but leave on the wet side. Place the wet scarf into a microwave
safe dish or on a piece of saran for painting.
Step 2. Paint The Scarf...
You can apply the dye to the silk anyway you wish. There is no right or wrong way, just remember the scarf must stay wet. Some painting methods are...
To Make Striped Patterns...Fold the silk before soaking it in the vinegar-water solution, place it into the microwave dish still
folded. Fully load your bamboo brush with dye and paint two or three colours side by side in stripes (parallel or diagonal) onto the silk. Turn the silk over and paint the other
side matching the colour positions.
To Make Webbed Designs...Unfold and bunch the silk before soaking it in the vinegar-water solution. Place it into the microwave
dish loosely bunched. Arrange it randomly into "peaks" and "valleys". Squeeze the peaks between your fingers so the silk is stuck together. Load your brush with dye and touch just
the brush tip to the "peaks" of the silk. The dye will "spider" out on the silk making a webbed design. Use as many colours as desired. Pinch the silk between your fingers
anywhere you want to make more "peaks".
To Make "Snake Skin" Designs...Lay a length of cotton sisal rope, longer than the silk, over one end of the dry silk and roll up
the silk around the rope. The silk may be rolled parallel or diagonally. Scrunch the silk from each end towards the center. Hold in place and place into the vinegar-water
solution. It will remain in place once it is wet. Fully load a bamboo brush and paint on one to three colours. If the inner part of the silk does not have enough colour finish
through step 4 and then repeat from step one rolling the scarf in the opposite direction.
To Make A Chevron Pattern...Hold diagonal corners of the dry silk and twist each end in opposite directions (it helps to have a
friend) until it is completely coiled around on itself. Wet in the vinegar-water solution and paint on the dye.
Step 3. Nuke The Silk...
Place microwaveable saran wrap over the dish containing the wet silk. SEAL COMPLETELY. Place a full glass of water in the microwave beside the dish containing the silk. Microwave on 3
1/2 MINUTES. It is important that the fabric does not dry out while being nuked as it will scorch. If the seal breaks stop the microwave and reseal the container. Remove from the
microwave...it will be hot so use oven mitts. COOL COMPLETELY before removing the saran and washing the silk.
Step 4. Wash And Iron The Silk...
After the scarf has cooled completely remove the unbonded dye by rinsing the scarf in cool water until the water runs clear. Increase the temperature gradually to hotter water and wash
with a mild soap. Lower the water temperature to a cool rinse, there should be no dye in the water at this point. Add a "glub" of white vinegar. A little fabric softener may also be
added to eliminate static electricity. Roll in an old towel to blot moisture then press dry with a medium dry iron. Protect your ironing board with an old cloth just in case.
Notes...
- If by chance you don't get enough colour on the first round, simply iron your scarf dry and begin again at Step 1. Do not add the fabric softener to the
rinse water before reprocessing.
- Several scarves may be "nuked" at a time
- Increase the microwave time for larger amounts of fabric. Double the time for cotton and rayon. Pebeo Soie dyes will not bond to cotton or rayon.
- Use only microwave safe materials in the microwave.
- The microwave method is an excellent technique to apply background colour for layering techniques.
- Fabric, ribbons, embroidery threads, etc. may be painted laid flat over saran. After painting place another piece of saran on top. Seal all the edges then
fold or roll to fit into the microwave.
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