Dyeing with Synthetic Dyes (Dylon Cold Water Reactive Dyes)

A range of material was purchased for dyeing including white untreated cotton, velvet, linen, and mixed combinations

10-20 metres of fabric was purchased online from £2.99 per metre to ensure extensive colour sampling for each material type per dyebath. The fabric was cut up into smaller sections so each sample piece = 40x40cms approx.

To enable further experimentation with dyeing dozens of old white T-shirts, tops and different items of clothing was used. The fabric was weighed so the recommended quantities were dyed per dyebath to achieve good even and consistent dye results

All the fabric was washed thoroughly and left damp. Large black plastic buckets were used as the dyebath. Additional buckets were used to rinse the dyed materials

Given my interest with threads and yarns for tapestry weaving, knitting and crocheting craft cotton was dyed alongside the fabric

The craft cotton was dyed in different ways. Initially the cotton was wound round plastic chopping boards and different areas were dyed for different amounts of time to achieve a graded effect

Along with the sampling process to build up a dye book the clothing was dyed using a range of resist effects including tie-dyeing with string, elastic bands and knotting. Using rubber gloves the dye was initially dissolved in 500mls of warm water, the buckets were filled with the required quantity of warm water and salt was stirred in, then the dye was added. The salt solution and dye quantity was altered to affect the depth of colour so 4-5 different dyebaths was achieved per dye colour

Within this dyeing process Dylon Cold Water Reactive Dyes were used...including Powder Pink and Burlesque Red fabric dyes

Initially each dyebath was stirred continuously for the first 15 minutes and thereafter stirred regularly with the wooden dowling rods

Interesting dyed effects were realised especially on the craft cotton as the colour was graduated

All the fabrics used took on the dye well and a range of  samples was achieved

The garage was used for the dyeing process... The dyed materials were rinsed in cold water then washed in warm water. Initially the dyed samples and items of clothing was left to dry on a washing line but this proved to be ineffective as it took so long to dry outdoors.

 Thereafter the dyed items were laid out flat on the floor where it was warmer to dry. Poly sheeting was required...

 A range of dyed fabric samples and dyed tops was achieved. Different types of fabric reacted differently to the dye, which resulted in varying shades per dyebath

 From the results I particularly liked the range of colour produced and the effects achieved with folding, twisting and tying the fabric and holding this in place with elastic bands to achive white patterns in the cloth

The craft cotton was repeatedly dip dyed for varying lengths of time which resulted in a graded colour effect. This craft cotton was used to produce knit and crochet samples for the dye books