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Fabric Dyes

Fabric preparation. If you have not dyed the fabric you are using before and do not really want to take a chance of getting disheartening results you may want to prewash i.e. Scour the fabric first. Some fabrics are treated with finishes which make it troublesome for the dye to penetrate the fibers. I have dyed multiple amounts of yards of fabric just about always using ordinary white or unbleached quilter's cotton and haven't had a problem. If you find the fabric label PDF that means prepared for dyeing, you know you have the right kind to use.

Using fabrics that are prepared for dyeing is the number 1 place to start. Scouring fabric in the wash machine uses one washer and enough dryer cycles for the fabric to be dry or you can air dry the fabric. Use one spoon of New Dawn liquid dishwashing detergent or similar product OR one teaspoon of Synthropol and an optional spoon of soda ash per 1-2 yards of fabric. Open up the fabric entirely to make certain the soap can completely penetrate it. This soap removes any surface sizing or finishes in the fabric which will inhibit the dyes.

Then decide what size pieces of fabric you want for the fabric dyes finished projects you hope to use your dyed fabrics in. That may be for applique, pieced quilting or for quilted attire. The piece size before dyeing will give you what you want to start the project. I generally make clothes so I use 1 yard pieces in a 5 range gradation from dark to light. Same colors of dye in more to less color saturation. I find this quite gratifying for my particular line of clothing.

Then the different combinations of the color brightnesses can be selected primarily based on the project I am working on and what it needs to be the most pleasing in the design elements on the completed garment. Occasionally I use 2 yard pieces if I want the end garment to be floor length but have found over the time I've been dyeing the fabric for my clothes that the 1 yard pieces usually are the best to dye and work with and work well for my particular garment styles.

When I do rag weaving I use the 1 yard pieces and cut the fabric into a variety of narrow strips that I will then weave with to form the finished woven fabric that I cut up and sew together. It makes a beautiful fabric that is easy to wear as well as being stunning. As the original dyed fabric has been washed three times in the dyeing procedure it also makes these rag woven clothes simple to care for when cleaning is required.

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About the Author

Marjorie is a clothing designer who specializes in creating recipes for and in dyeing fabrics for her lines of ready-to-wear. She dyes fabric for quilted garments, regular garments and rag woven garments. She is an expert in how to dye cotton fabric.