Thanks, Norma. I've seen Quilt University while browsing, but I think I'm going to look it up more seriously now. It seems to be quite comprehensive.

JudithLee wrote: JudithLee wrote:
New dyers: listen carefully here. Judy points out the very important things about this subject.

For the ones who wants to dye with wine and other food stuff, there is a class on Quilt University called Dyeing with Tea and Spices. Unfortunately it is running now and registration is closed. Their calendar is not telling when it comes up next time.
I'm not in that class, but in some other dyeing/painting classes. Very good instructions so go for it, if you are interested.

Well maybe just a half glass as I will be driving! Hic!

Thanks for the advice. Lorchen - I guess I could open a few more bottles of wine to over-dye? I think I might need help! Any offers?

A couple of years ago I asked a quilter who dyes a lot of fabric how she gets such deep and rich colours. She smiled and told me that she sometimes overdyes the same piece of fabric three or four times until she gets the depth of colour she wants.

Terrie, Why don't you wash it with a colour catcher in the machine and see if any colour comes out? It seems to me that some of these stains never come out when you try to wash them in the machine - even with Vanish. If colour does come out when you wash it then you could either wash it again with Retayne (which I have never used) or Synthrapol (which I have used with great success) when you are washing a finished quilt in the machine.

So whatcha drinkin' next? Creme de Menthe? Cherry Brandy? Or just tea or coffee? I reckon you could dye fabric with spinach because that never seems to come out in the wash for me. Then there's turmeric - I could go on....

Suggestions for Crocus regarding the dye experiment with wine....
Test it for bleeding by ironing the damp fabric inbetween 2 dry white cotton fabrics. If any color transfers on the white fabrics, it will transfer in your quilt.

Also, you might try treating it with Retayne. Retayne is used to stop commercial fabrics from bleeding. You have to use it in the hottest water you can. I put my fabric in a bowl with Retayne and then pour boiling water over it. I cover it and let it cool. When cooled, I rinse it twice in cool water. The first rinse has color. The second rinse runs clear. The important part is to wash it afterward in cold or lukewarm water. If you wash it in hot water, it loses the Retayne protection.

My third tip is to use Color Catchers when washing in the washing machine. They really help.

My last tip is to not let dyed fabrics or my quilts sit in the washer after washing them. Take them out right away to prevent staining adjacent fabrics.

Judy Austin

To Peter regarding dyes that come out weak...
II had the same problem. I am told that the three main reasons that Procion dyes come out weak are:
(1) forgetting to use soda ash or not using enough soda ash.
(2) old dyes. One source said they don't last longer than 4 years. Another said they only last a year, and can go bad in 1 day if stored in the heat.
(3) not processing them at the right temperature. If they batch at two low a temperature, they don't bond. If you use water that is too hot, it kills the dyes, and the dye doesn't take. It just keeps bleeding out of your fabric and washes down the drain. This was my problem.

Also, make sure you rinse first with cold water and then gradually rinse with warmer water, and finally wash in 140 F water, with a little Synthraool. This is so important to prevent bleeding. Works for me. Water runs clear after this last step.

Judy Austin

Thanks, Rosemary.

crocus999 wrote: Don't have the 'rew materials' for this sort of dying - hic!
My go to book is 'Dyeing in Plastic Bags' by Helen Deighan http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dyeing-Plastic-Bags-Great-Colours/dp/0954033302/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328708846&sr=1-1 She gave a talk at my embroidery groups some years ago and was great fun and very good.
I also got 'Eco Colour' by India Flint at christmas, but haven't got very far with it yet.

My main experience with dyeing is that if in doubt, leave it until tomorrow for good colour & good rinsing times.

Well, this doesn't seem to be the busiest topic, but here goes. I would like to try dye-ing. My first attempt was yesterday when I took a sip of wine that had obviously turned. I was going to throw it out and then thought...if this stuff stains my tablecloths so badly, it must be good to dye with. So, I took a chunk of white embossed batik and soaked it overnight in the wine and in the morning I added some vinegar. I added the vinegar because someone told me that it 'sets' dark colours, like new jeans keep their colour longer etc. The fabric turned out a lovely lavender -like colour. My question is : Now what? Should I re-wash the fabric before using? I did slosh it around in some dish soap and rinsed it very well. I always pre-wash, so it had already been washed when still white. Has anyone used this technique (if that's what I can call it)? Will the colours run if I sew it into a quilt? If you were me, would you trust this fabric?

I took a class on the Quilt University site last summer. We bought the 3 primary colors and were able to go from there.
What I'd like to try are the multi-colored ones. We're not going to do any dyeing until the weather warms up but I'd love to start finding out now.
eileenkny

Hi Peter,

There is a yahoo group for cotton dyers, called Dyehard_Runoff. You might want to join them. There are lots of files telling how to dye, as well as many people who can help you troubleshoot your results.
In general, it is recommended to use 1 tsp dye/cup of water to make your dye solution. You need 2 tsp dye/cup for blue and 3 tsp dye/cup for yellow.

Just go to Yahoo groups and search for Dyehard_Runoff.

I am a dyer and I love it. Peter, It sounds to me like you are not using enough dye powder in your dye bath. But here are a few things that might cause paler outcomes. Are you waiting at least 8 hours before you rince? Are your fabrics kept in a warm place to process? Is your soda ash mixed at 1/2 cup per gallon of water? Does whatever you are washing your PFD fabrics in have an additive that might be causing a problem?
Please keep in mind that not all dye outcomes will be to your liking but someone else may think your stinkers are perfect for their needs. I have been dyeing for years and I continue to learn with each session. Soooo just keep at it and have fun.
Betty Ann In Heavenly Florida