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Dyeing results...

As promised here are the results of my dyeing class at the Bramble Patch. I felt very unprepared for the class - entirely my own fault as I'd been away with work quite frequently between classes. However - considering how unprepared I was I'm really pleased with the results. I', also looking forward to over dyeing them in the next class and screen printing too (you know how I love screen printing).

I've also had my letter from Malvern to confirm 'The Water Tower' is entered for the exhibition. I've no idea how it will compare with other entries - so we'll just have to wait and see in May.

So here are my results... (lots of photos)

Microwave dyed - calico. Just placed in the bag.


Microwave dyed calico - folded and placed in the bag.

Microwave dyed manufactured white cotton - and no it's not a dish cloth...



Microwave dyed manufactured white cotton - folded.



Tray dyed - scrunched cotton.


Tray dyed - silk noile.



Microwave dyed - silk dupion.





Microwave dyed - silk noile. This was folded and placed in the bag.





Tray dyed calico- the Chelsea bun style of dying.






Tray dyed calico- folded in the tray.




Poly bag dyed - pinched in the centre and placed in the bag - a more subtle result than the other methods.


Poly bag dyed - white manufactured cotton - close up below.


Poly bag dyed - calico folded into strips and then rolled.
My conclusions about the different methods and fabrics are:
  • Silk fabrics take the dyes really well.
  • Calico (a good quality) works well.
  • Poly bag dying produces subtle results.
  • Microwave dyeing is quick and produces intense colours
  • Tray dyeing allows you to control the dye placement and allows you to dye larger pieces of fabric.
I'd love to hear if any of you have tried dyeing fabrics and if you feel my conclusion are the same as yours.
Hope you've all had a great Easter.

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Comments

Mary said…
I have not tried dyeing as of yet, but your yummy fabrics are so tempting!
24 March 2008 at 12:14
steviewren said…
I love the intensity of the microwaved fabrics. What do you plan to do with these?
25 March 2008 at 04:25
Sew Create It - Jane said…
I've done both kinds of dyeing and personally I prefer the traditional tray dyeing. I found that in microwave dyeing you can get almost a funny finish to it...a speckled finish or sometimes the dye can spilt leaving spots of dye. Just my thoughts.
26 March 2008 at 09:28
Aqeela said…
Hi, i came across your blog yesterday and look forward to reading more! i love your dying experiments! I also live in leic and i enjoy crafts / sewing / scrapbooking etc.
xx
26 March 2008 at 19:48
Kate North said…
I don't usually dye in the microwave, except for silk, but it works fairly well. Plastic bag dyeing produces all kinds of varied results - I tend to do it a lot simply because it's easy - and I like the results - the mottling that you tend to get.
26 March 2008 at 22:30
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