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Dyeing to Know
Dyeing Basics
Safety
Working with natural or commercial dyes can be fun, and a great way to get exactly the right color for that special fabric. There are some simple precautions that need to be taken.
Many, but not all dyes can be toxic. It is simpler to treat them all as toxic and error on the side of caution.
Keep all utensils to be used for dyeing seperate from the regular cooking items. This included any pots, stiring sticks or measuring spoons. Use lids to cover the cooking or simmering dye liquid, and always work in a well ventilated area.
Utensils
Pots used for dyeing need to be non-reactive. stainless steel or enamel. If using enamel, make sure that there are no chips or cracks in the enamel surface that exposes the underlying metal.
Stiring sticks also need to be non-reactive. Wooden spoons, plastic rods, bamboo chopsticks are all easy to find and cheap to replace.
Thrift shops make a good hunting ground for dyeing equipment.
A good source for cheap pots is the local Goodwill, Salvation Army or thrift store.
Basics
To dye with either vegetable dyes or commercial chemical dyes the following steps need to be followed.
Completely wet the fibers to be dyed. Wool, especially closely woven fabric or tightly spun yarn can take hours to soak through. Adding a bit of detergent to the soaking water can speed the process.
The wetted fibers should be the same temperature as the dye vat. This usually mean starting with a cold vat, adding the wetted fibers, and then heating the dye vat. Many fibers, especially fibers from animals-hair, wool, silk, will contract and mat if they are suddenly exposed to high heat.
e-mail: firebirdarts@gmail.com
Firebird Arts & Music
P.O. Box 30268
Portland, OR 97294
Office hours Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Pacific Standard Time
To place an order call: 1 (800) 752-0494
For information or international calls: (503) 255-5751
FAX line (503) 255-5703
Firebird now has voice mail on the office line. Please don't hang up without leaving your contact information if you get the voice mail. The voice mail answers 24 hours a day 7 days a week. It also picks up during errands, if someone is placing an order, or if the portable phone has been left in the office while everyone is at the back of the warehouse. Please repeat your phone number twice and remember to include your area code.
Phone orders are always welcome.
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Copyright © 2005 Firebird Arts & Music of Oregon, Inc.