Okay so I ran a little experiment this weekend. I did two runs of six fabrics. I made some mistakes but I learned a lot.

I use dyes from Dharma. This weekend was hot (high 80s) and I dye outside. The first run was using Light Red (Dharma PR12) and Grape (Dharma PR117). I messed up the steps and didn't do them at the correct proportions for 3, 4, and 5, but I still like the colors.

Grape to Light Red http://ridethepig.com/FabricAlchemy/images/071909_lr_g_stacked_sm.jpg

The second run was using Fire Red (Dharma PR10) to Imperial Purple (Dharma PR131). I had expected a result similar to the first but perhaps darker. I was wrong.

Fire Red to Imperial Purple http://ridethepig.com/FabricAlchemy/images/071909_fr_ip_stacked_sm.jpg

The Fire Red is one of my older dyes and at this time it looks nothing like a red and more like an orange. So instead of getting the berry colors on the other I got the brownish colors in the mid range.

I only let the cloth cure for a couple of hours and the colors weren't as rich as I expected. I want to do some more experimenting to see if it's the length of time I'm doing the various steps or if it's the strength of dye I'm mixing or if it's maybe my water.

It's always a lovely surprise!

I'll be trying this over the weekend. Thanks so much for your answer.

WWOOWW!! Betty Ann, that was FUN!! Thank YOU!!

Thank you Betty Ann

Here we go Teresa, If you are doing six gradations, place six containers in a line in front of you from left to right. Let's say you want purple gradation. Make up both red and blue dye. Be sure you use enough dye to get an intense color to start with because you will be adding water to them. Let's say you have 2 cups of red dye. Pour half of it (1 cup) into the first container on your left. Then replace the one cup you removed from your original dye with water. (Your original is now half strength) Pour half (1 cup) into the second container from your left, replace with water, Pour half (1cup) replace with water. Do all six. You will have dye left in the original cup. Use that for something else. Now do the same thing with the blue, but work from right to left instead of left to right.
The amount of dye will change with how much fabric you are dyeing. I have done this with 8 and 12 gradations. Try blending complimentary colors. You get the most amazing neutrals in the center. Have fun and let us know how it worked out. Betty Ann

I've seen where a lot of lovely sets of gradations where people have dyed from one color to another. They usually have six fabrics in the set.

I'm interested in trying to do some of these. What I'd like to know is what proportions of dye are usually used in these. Has anyone done some of these who would be willing to share what proportions they used?