I finally got out the dyes and started playing around yesterday and today. I started out dyeing in a stainless steel pot, but with dyeing little pieces, it seemed like a waste. So, today I opted to try out dyeing in a jar. I'm keeping notes of things that I've done, and a small sample of the wool.
Here's a few samples that I did. I did 2 values of a green, a salt box red, a sunflower yellow, and what was suppose to be soldier blue. It came out purple. Deep purple. Now to figure out why. The formula has the exact ratios of each color as a purple in the book, just the blue uses less of the dye. Did I goof and measure incorrectly when I created the liquid dye? Might be interesting to try again. I'm also playing around with when to add the vinegar. I've read all different theories. So, the next batch, I'm going to add the vinegar much later in the process, just to see if it has less mottling in the wool.
Last night we saw 3 hot air balloons going over our subdivision. This one was really low!
I managed to get 2 of them in the this photo. Guess it's our version of the Chicago Air and Water Show here in the far NW burbs.
I better run and check the pumpkin color that I'm currently dyeing. That last bit of yellow dye is taking forever to be absorbed.
~*~ Laura ~*~
4 comments:
Your dying results look great to me.
Great idea to use the jars. :-) I had a blue come out purplish. I don't know what I did either, lol.
The wools look great! Perhaps you don't need my help after all. If you want less mottle-y wool, you need to stir more often and/or have more liquid in the jars or pot so that the piece can move around. I like mottle-y wool so I stir very little. I agree about the acid thing - we all have different ways. I add vinegar after about 20 minutes but I am not sure it makes a bit of difference. You said your dyes are older and that could have affected the final color. Or it could be your water. Or the acid you use. Every step and chemical affects the final color.
*****laura...the water in your area will have definitive results on your dyeing process. when there are color problems from following a dye formula two things will cause the problem:
water supply
dye color being improperly
mixed by the company
this is very true of the cushing dyes, but you can work with them
and experience will help. in the meantime, when you mix your dyes
in the measuring cup...a glass one will be the best because you can see the color and also use a white paper towel to dip into the mixture and get a glimpse of the color on pure white. tom
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