<quiltaholic> how do I learn to use them?
<MissDiane> but there are all kinds of recipes all over the internet.
<Glenda-AZ> Dharma is very interesting. There catalog has all kinds of info for dyeing....and if you like to work silk, that is the place to buy.
<quiltaholic> ok thanks.
<MissDiane> recipes in dyeing is just like in baking.
<MissDiane> everyone has their special touches.

<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> so therefore you dye in your house and not outside. I have heard of people dying outside because of the odor, is that true?
<MissDiane> there is some odor in dyeing, but not much (very little). But there is the dye powder to contend with, so I have a special place I mix my dyes. Once they are in liquid form they are safe but in powder form they can be a bit of trouble.

<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> ? What type of fabric do you use for dyeing and what is the thread count?

<MissDiane> I dye with 2 fabrics, both being PFD Prepared for Dye. The first and my most favorite is Hoffman PFD. I use that almost exclusively but I have another PFD that is almost as good as Hoffman but it makes a more suede look.
<quiltaholic> Would it be safe to dye fabric in your laundry room...or just how messy does it get...I do not want to ruin anything.
<Judy> I purchased some fabric from Diane at the San Antonio quilt show and it is great to work with.
<MissDiane> dyeing anywhere will create problems for other fabrics...LOL
<quiltaholic> I'm not worried about my other fabrics just my walls and floors...lol
<MissDiane> I have never dyed that I didn't make a mess and get at least one red dot on a white shirt or sock or something. Walls and floors are fine. For the most part I have always gotten it up.
<quiltaholic> good...then an apron will take care of the rest...right
<MissDiane> even on my cabinets I just clean them with a cleaner with bleach and they are as good as new.
<Smoky> so if we were to use our laundry room - would it stain the sink?
<MissDiane> it may stain the sink, but you can scrub it
<MissDiane> I have underwear that is multicolors. I try to wear them each time. I usually end up with multicolored toes since I dye barefooted.
<quiltaholic> Is there a product we could put on our sink to repel the stain...mine is solid white.
<MissDiane> no, I haven't found anything to stop the stains, but they do clean up with bleach for the most part.
<Needles> You don't need to wear any socks then do you>>???
<MissDiane> no, I am a hot flash woman so I am barefooted.
<Smoky> this PFD - do you need to iron set? or rinse specially?
<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> Diane how long does it take to do a run, is that what they call it. How many yards do you dye at a time, and is there a timing method when it is ready?
<MissDiane> no iron setting, it is set by the soda ash solution but it has to be rinsed A LOT. That is the hardest part about dyeing...rinsing.
<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> do you apply the soda ash solution?
<MissDiane> To get the fabric in the dye bath takes anywhere from 1 to 2 hours with most of this being preparation of dyes and solutions. Once in the dye it sets for a minimum of 24 hours. The soda ash solution is added after the dye. I usually dye 25-50 yards at a time.
<Smoky> if you need to rinse a lot, can you not run it thru a washing machine complete cycle without soaps?
<MissDiane> yes, but it will take more than one machine wash time
<quiltaholic> can you use vinegar to help set the color?
<MissDiane> vinegar does nothing on Procion Dyes. It is used more for natural dyes.
<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> What do you recommend to set the dyes and how do you do it?
<MissDiane> the soda ash sets the dye on a molecular level. Once the fabric has set for the allotted time it is set.

<Glenda-AZ> Are some colors more difficult to dye than others? timing etc.
<MissDiane> yes, Fuchsia and Turquoise and black. They are the hardest. Fuchsia sets FAST!!!!!!! and hard. Turq sets slow and needs heat, black takes A LOT of dye powder
<quiltaholic> what type of heat for turquoise?
<MissDiane> I use a heating pad to keep the temp above 80*F.

<Smoky> is your water particularly hard or soft? We don't use softening agents in our water but some places do.
<MissDiane> I do not use any softeners we have normal to hard water here.

<Glenda-AZ> I have done some dyeing but about 10 years later, the fabric began to look like it was rotting and the color purple turned from bright purple to an ugly brown........What would cause that?
<MissDiane> that is a good question. [I] would have to look at it to even guess, but I would initially say maybe it wasn't rinsed well. The color change would sound like it wasn't Procion dyes.
<Glenda-AZ> I suspected a chemical reaction of some sort
<Smoky> the color change explained - sounds like the red disappeared as in bleached out. The color change - sounds like the red got bleached out by light.
<MissDiane> very well could have, that is why i said it didn't sound like Procion dyes...they are as light fast as our clothes.

<Dee-FL> Miss Diane- I just bought some instant tie Dye in a can- it was in the closeout bin at JoAnns and thought it looked like something fun to play with- any suggestions about using it?
<MissDiane> Dee I know nothing about that, but I would say find some fabric and play and see what happens.
<Dee-FL> I thought I might put the dying fabric out back and put florida ferns, etc on it and then spray the tie dye
<MissDiane> sounds good Dee
<Dee-FL> think I should wash the fabric and use Synthrapol first?
<MissDiane> yes. I always recommend prewashing
<Dee-FL> should I use retayne after to set the dye or something else?
<MissDiane> Retayne does nothing for hand dyed fabric. It is for commercial dyed fabrics like you buy in a LQS
<Dee-FL> ok. thanks

<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> Diane after we buy your fabric, do we still have to you the Synthrapol before using in a quilt.
<MissDiane> I recommend every piece of hand dyed fabric mine or otherwise be prewashed so you can see how it reacts in your water. I know several ladies in my guild who have bought HD fabric put it away and used it a few years later in wonderful appliqué pieces just to have it run. So always test.
<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> ? How do you test
<MissDiane> Hot water, white bowl and fabric, if you see color in the water you need to wash it.
<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> do you use the Synthrapol when you test?
<MissDiane> usually not in the test bowl as it makes lots of bubbles and you can't see the water :^)

<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> Diane how long have you been in business now?
<MissDiane> I have been in The Chicken Tree for 3 years
<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> You also teach, can you tell us what you have been teaching?
<MissDiane> well i taught a quilt class yesterday.
<MissDiane> I do a lot of beginning dye classes and am working up a painting class. I do about 4 dye classes a year for my guild and about that many piecing classes.

<Glenda-AZ> Have you anything to say about the "solar dyes"? I don't know the proper name for that, but it gives negative affects of an object...and uses ultraviolet light or sunlight to develop.
<MissDiane> Glenda I think you are talking about Sun Painting
<Glenda-AZ> Yes...that is it. Do those dyes stay well??
<MissDiane> yes they stay well!
<MissDiane> That is a wonderfully fun and easy project. You should buy you some and play and make sure you have interesting leaves and stuff to lay on it. Use salt and it makes cool streaks and dots.
<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> By painting are you talking about painting on fabric?
<Glenda-AZ> No painting per se QD...
<Glenda-AZ> I have some here...but timid about using them
<MissDiane> yes these sun paints are Translucent paints and you add some water and go to town after it is all painted you lay objects on it. They give a negative affect and cool looks. I am always buying confetti stuff to put on mine to see what it looks like.
<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> okay I have done that with Jennifer Priestley, she was a guest lecturer at my local guild and she held a workshop, I have the paints, just need to do. Can you do these with your dyed fabrics?
<MissDiane> the best one I ever did was a blue piece. I put mason jar rings on it and threw some rock salt on it and it looked like a planet or something. Dyes do not work like paints.
<Glenda-AZ> I did some sun painting while in Finland......but under a teacher.....
<Annie-TX> What's your favorite fabric to dye? I have only dyed Kona Cotton with great result.
<MissDiane> Painting is very fun. My favorite fabric for dyeing and painting is Hoffman PFD. It is smooth and fine threaded and it gives a great look.
<Willo44> This whole process is very addictive, I do it poolside then swim while i wait for it to happen, i love painting a plaid then adding rock salt for effect.
<MissDiane> YES! Painting is almost instant in the south. I LOVE it.
<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> Diane, could I take a piece of your dyed fabric, and after testing to make sure it didn't run, could I then do painting on it with rock salt or other items with the paints?
<MissDiane> yes Donalyn, the translucent paint will always show what you began with but it should be great

<Needles> So Miss Diane what is the best thread count for dyeing?
<MissDiane> Needles, I knew I should have done a count on the fabric but I didn't. I use Hoffman or any other fine smooth thread PFD.
<Glenda-AZ> Comment...Ladies...start building another shelf in your work shop for paints and dyes.
<MissDiane> I just don't want to use loose weave muslin or fabric that has fat threads, they make the fabric not to have a sheen to them.
<Dee-FL> Miss Diane- how long to dyes and paints stay good - I have some I bought a few years ago in Houston and never got to use.
<MissDiane> Dee I have dyes that are 10 years old that I still use...keep them dry, cool and in the dark and you should be fine. Now the dye houses will tell you they have a short shelf life, but that is their business.
<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> good to know. Thank you for asking that question Dee
<Needles> So a higher thread count would by all means be better?
<MissDiane> higher thread count to up to a point, after that then you are dealing with Pima and that is too much.

<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> How many washing machines and once you have thoroughly washed and rinsed the dye fabric, do you put in the dryer?
<MissDiane> I wash them a minimum of 2 hot washes and usually 2-3 hot rinses and yes I always dry them but you don't have to. You can line dry them.
<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> does the dyes stain your washers and dryers?
<MissDiane> I dry them because I am dealing with so much I can't have wet fabric all over the house.
<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> do you steam iron them after drying or dry iron them?
<MissDiane> I have enamel insides to my machines and they are not stained , but I have no idea about plastic tubs
<MissDiane> I steam iron them...as a side note I have learned, yellow fabric will hold it's wrinkles so wet it a bit and iron it dry.
<MissDiane> OH...I messed up...I do dye in plastic tubs so no, the dye will not stain the plastic tubs.
<Glenda-AZ> Wouldn't a bleach rinse clean a washing machine?
<MissDiane> yes

<MissDiane> Smokey I would love them
<Sally-IL> Where do you buy the dyes & can you recommend a good book?
<MissDiane> The best book for a beginner to play with is out of print but if you can find it get it....Hand Dyed Fabric for Beginners I can't call the a author right this second, but I will ...hang on
<MissDiane> Adrienne Buffington, her book is a good basic beginning book
<MissDiane> I'm sorry I got the name wrong...it is Hand Dyed Fabric made easy, by Adrienne Buffington
<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> are there anymore questions or comments? I want to thank Diane for starting off our lecture series.

<Glenda-AZ> Is it the timing while in the dye bath we control color? Like pastels too intense? or in the preparation of the dyes?
<MissDiane> there are 2 ways to control color...time and dye
<MissDiane> more time more depth
<MissDiane> more dye more depth
<Glenda-AZ> If too faint...do you put into another bath?
<MissDiane> dye strikes pretty fast except for Turq
<Glenda-AZ> and turq is my favorite color...:(
<MissDiane> glenda yes if it doesn't come out the way you want, throw it in something else
<Glenda-AZ> ok...thanks again
<MissDiane> Glenda, you will get great Turq, it just takes longer
<MissDiane> instead of striking in 2 hours it takes 4 and heat.
<Glenda-AZ> OK...LOLOLO

<Smoky> so this means you can "re-dye" ....
<MissDiane> YES!
<Smoky> Whew
<MissDiane> redyeing is where you get to experiment.
<MissDiane> to tell the truth that is where a lot of "artists" charge you more money. They made a fabric that didn't turn out great, they over dye it and it is great and they charge you more for "overdyed" fabric LOL.
<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> So that is how some of your fabric might have a green in it with a touch of yellow streaks or such.
<MissDiane> Donalyn, no I have developed a technique to get a look of overdye without all of the work.
<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> Diane can you dye let's say a piece of fabric, let's say a Hoffman print, would that be possible?
<Dee-FL> Miss Diane- you said heat- is that where you meant to use the heating pad? I came in after you started so I think I missed something
<MissDiane> Dee, yes I own MANY heating pads
<Dee-FL> Miss Diane- is that what you meant about making the turquoise - 4 hours and adding heat by putting it on a heating pad?
<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> I don't understand the turquoise. Do you mean a tub is put on top of an heating pad?
<MissDiane> donalyn, yes, just scrub the fabric first...hot water wash with about 1/4 cup soda ash and 1-2 TBS soda ash in a long wash.
<MissDiane> have you heard of the lazy girl quilter? I am the lazy dyer

<Glenda-AZ> What can you tell us about repellents...if we want to dye designs. What would you recommend we use to repel?
<MissDiane> Glenda, I think you are talking about resist and they sell wash out resist...it may be called gutta, but I am unsure
<Glenda-AZ> Ah...yes. Just what is gutta?
<MissDiane> gutta is a resist it is used when you want to paint a picture on silk (It maybe can be used on cotton, but unsure) to keep the paint or dye in the place you want it.
<Glenda-AZ> I have seen tv shows where they put something on to make designs similar to the batiks.

<Dee-FL> I wonder if you could use bees wax like we do with the dyed eggs?
<MissDiane> Dee, yes.

<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> Yes you can Dee we had a lecture a couple of years ago here in Florida at guild meeting, I have the notes back home will send to you.
<Dee-FL> Donalyn thanks!
<Smoky> re: the wax - what do you find the best to get the wax out - I used to iron and iron and iron with fresh newspaper underneath.
<MissDiane> Dee, yes you can, but it is a bugger to get out of the fabric afterwards.
<Dee-FL> oh never thought of that- right its hard enough to get off the eggs
<MissDiane> smokey, I have a lady who batiks a lot and she says to boil it. Then she sends it to the dry cleaners to get the rest out.

<Glenda-AZ> Took some honey frames to be extracted. In the back of a pickup...hot day...some wax melted and got on the car. Never could get it off withput scrapping paint and all Bees wax is hard to remove
<Dee-FL> so probably I should find gutta and forget the bees wax

<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> ? that is another question, I have a quilt I have been working on hand quilting for over 10 years and of course have used the blue, yellow, white, black and red marking pencils without erasers. How do I remove those markings
<MissDiane> donalyn, I have no idea about that
*Dee-FL* Donalyn we used to sell something in the store- I forget the name but it was line remover worked well.

<Dee-FL> yea! thanks this was fun!!!
<MissDiane> Dee go to Dharma Trading and Pro Chemcial they sell that stuff
<Dee-FL> Thanks
<MissDiane> :^)
<Smoky> may I suggest that Miss Diane be the first official person/business in our new web page? We want to feature our members and their businesses. On one page (or two or three).
<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> so moved
<MissDiane> why thank you :^)
<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> Diane you did a great job I thank you so much and yes I will be going to The Chicken Tree site to drool some more.
<Glenda-AZ> Many thanks Miss Diane...this has been very informative.....Thank you so much.
<MissDiane> I am happy to have been invited. This was fun. I was a bit nervous.
<lostberrypicker> thanks for the great lecture...at least what I was able to see
<Needles> Miss Diane we appreciate you taking time to tell us all about your business.
<Dee-FL> thanks Miss Diane
<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> yes and we need to get more lecturers so if you know someone let me know
<MissDiane> I went to the dentist today and was a bit groggy
<Smoky> you did AWESOME Miss D!!!
<MissDiane> thank you
<MissDiane> I hope you all will try this and let me know if I can help in any way.
<Smoky> you are on the member list - so I will snail mail the natural dyes to you! I got them in a soap making class.

<Glenda-AZ> Now I am excited to try some of this I learned....
<MissDiane> My DH said he would be here tomorrow to lecture you all

<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> lol Diane on what subject may I ask?
<MissDiane> on how to survive a wife who is addicted to dyeing.
<Smoky> LOLOL- our DH's all would have a good gab if they got together - right qD???? Ours didn't miss us when we went shop-about!
<Glenda-AZ> Diane has one of those Wonderful Providers...LOL
<MissDiane> needles I am sure he will say it is the same thing LOL
<quiltDonalyn-CTFLYankee> they sure do and especially if they are into cars and swaps and shows
<Glenda-AZ> You Gals who make things for sale...get on Smoky's Sale Page......
<MissDiane> ok, I am gonna go...thank you all for the opportunity
<MissDiane> Thanks Donalyn for the invitation.
Session Close: Wed Feb 22 21:30:02 2006