fabric dyeing

[Scoopie]

I'm curious, Ricky and others, what fabric you use for dyeing - is it Muslin and if so do you prefer a particular thread count?

KT in Tennessee

[Scoopie]

I use what I have handy if I have not planned ahead when the urge strikes. Otherwise, I like a tight thread count and something with some sheen. ritzy

oops, I forgot, it has to be natural fibers or it won't accept the dye.

[eileenkny]

I'm just starting on my dyeing adventure. The class I was supposed to take at QU was cancelled. But, the supply list called for PFD fabric. That way, it doesn't have the sizing, etc in it.

Eileen Keane, mailto:mpkemk@frontiernet.net
http://www.designingquilts.com
Gammill Classic Plus
Maybrook, NY

[eileenkny]

Jeff the dye master told me they use muslin. I bought a bolt of "dyers cloth" from a distributor.

[GramaJan]

I really like Kaufman PFD. I buy it by the bolt from my local quilt shop. It really accepts the dye well and sews like a dream.

[GramaJan]

thanks for the input everyone, I really want to try dyeing my own fabric - I saw the class at QU and hope to take it when it's offered again. Does anyone know of any good books or resources on learning to dye fabric?

[GramaJan]

Check out Dharma:


http://www.dharmatrading.com/

They are one of the great authorities of dying. They have some great books!

[GramaJan]

Check out Dharma:


http://www.dharmatrading.com/

They are one of the great authorities of dying. They have some great books!

Thanks, I'll definitely check this out.

[GramaJan]

thanks for the input everyone, I really want to try dyeing my own fabric - I saw the class at QU and hope to take it when it's offered again. Does anyone know of any good books or resources on learning to dye fabric?

I also want to learn how to dye my own fabric. I purchased Ann Johnston's Color by Accident and Color by Design, which both look excellent - very well organized and easy to follow. I would highly recommend both.

[eileenkny]

There's also a blog called: http://fabricdyeing101.blogspot.com/
It's extremely detailed and easy to understand.

[eileenkny]

There's also a blog called: http://fabricdyeing101.blogspot.com/
It's extremely detailed and easy to understand.

Thanks for the link. I just read her discussion about fabric and business, which gave me a lot to think aobut. Her instructions are detailed and clear - and since i've dyed over 200 meters, they should work perfectly.

[eileenkny]

I'm trying to get all the stuff together to start. DH said he'd like to try it with me, so I have to get doubles of things like aprons,etc. I have a question about buckets-how many do I really need right now? I'm going to try dyeing fat quarters at first. I have a ton of souvenir plastic cups from different places. Shouldn't that be enough?

[eileenkny]

Hi eileenkny, I used gallon size zip loc bags for fat quarters. I'm wanting to do larger pieces and at my grocery store recently, there was a huge stack of 5 gallon buckets sitting outside. I thought I'd hit the jackpot and I'd just take as many as I wanted. However, when I asked about them, they were $5 each!! For something that they'll probably throw away if they don't sell soon.
I also thought that the cheap plastic trash cans from the dollar stores, etc., would work also for large pieces. They are very inexpensive - at least not $5.
I know - you're thinking she's frugal. I'm not frugal --- I'm cheap!!!

Have a good day everyone, Sharon in NE TN

[eileenkny]

Sometimes if I am dyeing fat quarters, I just stick them in a cup because I like the mottled look and that will give me that look. If you use a large container and mix it you will not have that look. ritzy

[eileenkny]

I have decided that to get the fabric I want for my very recently started Rhapsody quilt, that I will need to learn how to die fabric. But, I know absolutely nothing on the subject, excepting that there are some confusing decisions to make i.e. die or ink, which brands work best for the beginner and which techniques to use.

I would really appreciate some tips and any other knowledge that anyone would like to pass along to a "dyeing newbie" :lol:

Jean