Dye ALL the things!

[mala_14]

I sort of did yesterday. There's a good and a bad to all the dyeing. The first velveteen turned out to perfectly match some green and blue plaid brushed cotton that I got recently, so it looks like there will be a green velveteen bodiced to go with a kilted plaid skirt for a bustle dress in my future.


I also managed to get some white velveteen at the fabric store. And it was on sale. And I only needed 1/2 metre. So that didn't break the bank or anything. And it dyed up nice and blue. It's not a perfect match to the bodice or skirt, but it's close enough.


I also dyed my taffeta silk that I want to use for my CoCo gala dress and, while the colour came out very nice, it's more green than blue. I'm thinking it might be more Little Mermaid-like than Snow Queen, but not sure. I'd still do the same design but change up all the snowflakes for pears and seashells.


The bad is that I wrecked the silk fibres when doing the dyeing. It's now sorty of crunchy and crepe-y (as you can see in the picture below), instead of smooth and shiny. I think it had something to do with maybe washing it in the machine before dyeing (the dye instructions said to pre-wash) or maybe accidentally leaving it too long in the dryer (which I know was a big no-no, but I didn't think it would dry that quickly and meant to take it out while it was still damp), but I'm not sure. I'll still use it as-is for the dress, but I wanted to ask all you fine people in LJ-land, HOW does one dye silk without ruining it???

Comments

[isabelladangelo.livejournal.com]

I've found with most silks that washing it is fine but do not dry it in the dryer - that's what destroys it. If you let it air dry - either outside or on the shower rod- it ends up being okay most of the time.

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'll remember that for next time.

[bauhausfrau.livejournal.com]

If you find the key to dyeing it let me know cuz I've never had any luck either.

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Seems like putting it in the washing machine is fine. Also the dye bath itself is fine. But the texture will likely change some. And putting it in the dryer is a big no-no. Although the internet also told me that excessive agitation (like in the washer) can be bad too, so put it on the delicates setting or hand wash.

[jenthompson.livejournal.com]

Dying is alway going to change the silk so it's not as shiny and crisp. But I do it a lot anyway. I never dry it though, and I iron it like crazy after it is over to try and flatten it back out again.

You got some really pretty colors there!

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

I did dye a small sample in my earlier dye bath that turned out fine. I think the dryer is what caused my problems. Thanks for the info!

And thanks! I'm pretty pleased with them. :)

[quincy134.livejournal.com]

Those colors are awesome! I'm always afraid of doing dye for fabric, so I've got no advice.

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Thanks Gloria! The cotton velveteen was really fun to dye and low stress. I didn't do anything complicated, just dyed it in a bucket with warm water. I recommend giving it a try if you ever want to feel like you have the magical power of being able to make things different colours. ;)

[quincy134.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info!

[ashamanja-babu.livejournal.com]

I have no dyeing advice but I can also recommend NOT putting it in the dryer. Just hang it up to dry and iron while still damp.

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it looks like that was definitely my mistake. Thanks for the advice! I'll know for next time.