Back to Dyeing Fabrics Again!!

Finally I am able to get back to some fabric dyeing.  Thought I'd share a little of my first experiments.  There are not original, but learned from various technique books on fabric dyeing.  The first experiment I did was layering fabrics in one  container using three different dyes. Here's a photo of the fabrics in place:  

I first used a piece of scrunched up fabric on the bottom, covered with red dye.   Then I added another piece of fabric, covered that one with dark blue dye, then I added a third piece and covered that one with green dye. Here's how it looked when I finished adding the dyes and it was waiting to be finished.  I kept it this way for about an hour.  Next will be the photos of the three pieces of fabric that resulted from this technique: 

 

This fabric was at the bottom of the container. It picked up some of the blue dyes from the piece placed on top of it, but kept some of the red already in place.  Plus, created varying shades of violet.

This fabric was in the middle of the container.  It picked up a little of the red dyes on the fabric below it, the white parts are areas that did not take dye well because they were crumpled fabric areas.

   

This fabric was the piece on top which I poured green dye over.  It also absorbed some of the blue dye from the piece below it.

I like all of these results, except next time I will use a smaller container.......so the fabrics are more crumpled and more white areas occur.  AND, I will wait longer between applying the different dyes so allow each piece to seep in the colors longer.       

Comments

[Chris Predd]

I use Dylon Permanent Fabric dyyes I've purchased at Hancock's or Joann's. Each pack dyes 1/2 pound of fabric, the size of a large shirt it says on the package. This would give the color at full strength. I use PFD cottton. This technique I learned from Ruth Issett's book Colour on Cloth. There is lots to explore in this book!

[gwen]

Beautiful, Christine! Are these Rit dyes? I have dyed fabrics but not thought to dye them in one vat...I will have to try that. I love the marbled look. Did you use prepared for dying fabric? I've used good quality plain muslin for dying and it worked well for my purposes (wall hangings).

Thank you for posting a tutorial.
Gwen