Thursday, November 7, 2013

A New Adventure!

I have decided to get into dyeing fabric.  I was resisting, all those supplies!  I have done a little bit in the past. Mainly at some dye parties with the quilt guild. So you just had to bring tables and buckets, they had dyes and soda ash all set up for everyone to share. I have done a little bit with rust dyeing, but since there are all kinds of good rusty crap, er, um,  stuff in the garage I didn't really have to go looking for any supplies.

Supplies!

Dyes
Just as I was making noises about getting into dyeing a friend said she was getting rid of her dyes, since hadn't used them for a couple of years. What a great start for my dye collection! She kept all her paints since she is still painting and stamping on her fabrics.

Research
She also let me borrow some of her dyeing books.  And she had included a copy of her class handout from when she taught dyeing years ago.

Washing Soda and Pool chemicals
I read about soda ash.  As I live in a small town I only had Wally to look for it. Some things I have read said to use washing soda, so I picked up a box of that. I also picked up a jar of the pool chemicals.  That was twice the price of the washing soda.  But I am not sure if there is a difference in the two products since the washing soda box doesn't list all the ingredients on the label.

PFD!
I had the local quilt shop order me a bolt of PFD.  I chose the Moda brand because they are a small shop and I wanted to go with something from a company that they already do business with.  This bolt came with 12 yards so I asked them to order me another one the next time they put in an order from Moda.

Now the hardest part of all, cleaning up a spot in our unfinished basement as a work area.  I am sparing you a photograph of that mess.  We just dump stuff down there to get it out of the way.  Repeat for 6 years and you have a mess.

So I will try to post regularly on my progress in dyeing fabric.  Wish me luck!

I am linking this post to Nina-Marie's blog for Off the Wall Friday!



I also wanted to tell you that I am still sorting through my craft books, magazines and patterns.  I have a lot listed already, more going up every week.  I have knitting, crochet, cross stitch, quilting and general craft stuff.  I am also clearing out some of my vintage books and magazines.  I am willing to give a quantity discount, please convo me and I can make you a reserved listing or get you a coupon code.  Thanks for looking!

--Destash--

--Vintage--

7 comments:

  1. Woohoo! Looks like you have a great selection of dyes to start with! I don't remember reading about the washing soda and have never used it so I can't make any suggestions there. Looking forward to seeing what you do!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Have a grand time. Dyeing really does produce brilliantly colored fabrics.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh I hear ya....the thought of all the supplies and of course knowledge that goes into dyeing can be overwhelming. The results are....in the end......so worth it. Enjoy the process....do post photos of your successes!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. ooohhh the colors will be glorious. And if you aren't careful your basement floor will be colorful too. Winter is a comin' so get ready for some snow dye days too. It's the washing out I dislike the most, but love seeing the surprises that come out of the dryer
    LEeAnna Paylor

    ReplyDelete
  5. Uh, oh :-) I see a new obsession coming on! Stand back

    ReplyDelete
  6. Washing soda has more 'other ingredients' than you will find in the pool chemicals. The goal is to go with the most soda ash, so the pool chemicals are usually better. You need twice as much of the washing soda. Dyeing is the best fun! Have fun with it!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Have fun! Can't wait to see what you create.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by! I love to hear what you think about my post!