because you asked

Tagged both by sarcozona and leo, how can I say no?  This one comes from llcooljoe:

The rules:

1. You’ve got to post a link from the person who tagged you.
2. List 8 things that you know about on your chosen subject. You get to choose the subject.
3. You don’t have to tag anyone but you can if you want. If you do, let them know on their blog that they’ve been tagged.
4. List the rules.

So:  once upon a time, I had a strange and wondrous career that involved a lot of fabric.  And so I bring you 8 things about dyeing.  No, not dying.  I don’t know much about that, thankfully enough!

1.  Proper handling of dye powder is very important.  If you’re being responsible, you wear a dust mask at all times when measuring and mixing, and after you’re done you spray down the work area with water.  Then, you carefully wipe up the work surface with a damp cloth, since even one loose granule of dye can land on your project and cause a great big splotch.  Generally right where you don’t want it.

2.  Fabric needs to be wet when you put it in the dye pot, and should be pre-washed.  That way you take off the water-resistant finish that the manufacturer uses to make it crisp and appealing in the store.  This goes for ready-made garments too.  Little-known fact:  often fabric is finished with formaldehyde.  Gross, huh?

3.  A good dyer is left with almost clear water when they’re done with their project — the fabric will literally soak up most of the dye in the chemical reaction.  Not that the water is clean!  It’s quite toxic.  That’s why you wear gloves.

4.  Salt helps the dye process along, as well as vinegar and warm water.  This combination opens up the individual fibres so the dye can lodge deep within them.  Then, you rinse out the salt/vinegar with cold water — which closes the fibres, trapping the dye.  Bleach is really toxic (I hope you already knew that) but if you must use it, rinse your textile in white vinegar after you’re done bleaching it.  Vinegar neutralizes bleach, which otherwise will live in your fibres and slowly degrade them.

5.  There are two major types of dye — acid dyes, which are used for proteinaceous fibres such as silk or wool, and cellulosic dyes, used for plant fibres such as cotton/linen/rayon.  Then there are fibre reactive dyes, which are meant for plant fibres but also work on silk.  Though silk is officially a protein, it is made by silkworms who eat exclusively mulberry leaves and there is enough of the plant structure left in the molecule that the dye works on silk too.  These dyes are quite vibrant, and used for batik since you don’t use hot water. 

6.  Speaking of batik — it is a beautiful product (originated in Indonesia I believe) made by applying wax to a cotton cloth and then dyeing it.  For intricate designs sometimes the process is repeated many times, for an amazing layered effect.  The most beautiful batik is made with indigo.  But caution!  Melting wax gives off a chemical that is not removed by most respirators.  Don’t do it too much. 

7.  Speaking of indigo, it is an ancient dye process that is still practised in many cultures.  It results in a beautiful, beautiful blue, which ranges from dark to light depending on how many times it is dipped in the vat and then exposed to the air to oxidize.  I have never participated in this process, but I think if I did I might quit everything I do and go be an indigo dyer.  

8.  All-purpose dyes, like Rit, are very convenient but not at all good for you.  And not good for your pots, pans, and kitchen equipment.  Which is not to say that I haven’t done it — probably all of us ex-fabric-geeks have at one point or another — but if you want really good results, use really good, fibre-specific dye.  And a dedicated pot.  If you don’t, at least scrub the hell out of it before you cook any food with it.

For awesome dyeing supplies, go here.

I would treat you to pictures of my projects from my awesome dyeing class, but it’s late and I don’t know where my portfolio is.  Trust me when I say that they’re gorgeous.  It was my favorite class I ever took.