Choosing the Right Dye Mix for Your Natural Fiber Crafts And Handspinning
In my opinion, the old saying, “you get what you pay for” is not always true with dyes. I have tried more expensive dyes by Gaywool, which averaged about $14 for a canister that claimed to dye 1-2 pounds. I have dyed several pounds and still have some left. However, the dye took a long time to set, and never completely rinsed out. Yes, I followed the directions on the package. Since in this case, I dyed a wool batt before spinning, I even had dye rub off on my fingers while I spun.
I have tried fabric dyes from a fabric store that claimed to dye natural fibers including cotton and wool. These dyes were very inexpensive and I got them on sale for $1.99 a package that dyed 1 pound. In this instance again, hard to rinse out, took a long time to set. But much more than that, the color was not vibrant as I wanted, and the wool felt rough after drying. I take pride in the softness of my wool, so needless to say, this was not acceptable. I have lived and learned and now swear by W.CUSHING & CO. acid dyes.
They come in a little packet that will dye 1 pound…. or more…. I’ll explain later…. The cost is very reasonable. Starting price is around $2.95 a packet, but if you call the company direct 1-800-26-7847, they offer bulk discounts. I think the minimum is 24 packs, which will bump you down to around $1.95 each, and that is the beginning. Ask them for specifics because I know there are larger discounts. You can search for dealers on the net and view the color chart, but so far I have not found one that offers the discounts. Remember that if you are a licensed business, which I am, you qualify for “no tax”. Now… details.. the colors are vivid at full strength… if you keep adding skiens or fiber roving to pot during the dye process, you will get varying shades of the same color! This dye absorbs completely into the fiber! When the dyebath is exhausted, you will know obviously because the water will be clear. No guesswork… no extensive rinsing. And remember…. rinse at the same temperature as the dyebath to avoid felting your fiber.
This is easier than it sounds….. just let it cool completely and rinse in cold water. Don’t risk burning yourself or felting that fabulous fiber. Remember to follow the directions on the package, as you will need to ad white vinegar. Don’t think you can add cider vinegar in a pinch, it does not work! Then just experiment with the dyes. We’ll talk more about techniques.