Dyeing Techniques vary based on the medium. If you have a question about the dyeing process that you can't find described here, contact us!

How to Use-Dyeing Techniques

Dyeing Greasy Fleece Wool

When Dyeing wool, whether fibre, yarn or fabric, a good “pickup”(amount of dye liquid to add) is about 150gms, for every 100gms of wool. Work the dye into the wool using rubber gloves, until the dye has applied to your satisfaction. Store the dyed goods is a plastic bag for a minimum of 24 hours at room temperature ( 20 – 25 degrees C)

To check the degree of fixation of the dye, squeeze a small amount of liquid out. If the liquid is clear, the dyes are fixed and the material can be washed off. If there is still colour left in the liquid, leave for longer. The rate of fixation is dependant on the temperature, At low temperatures, the fixation period may be longer.

To fully develop the fastness of the dyes, it is necessary to remove any unfixed dyes and chemicals from the dyed article. Rinse well in warm water.
On greasy wool, some of the dye will couple with the wool grease and this grease/dye complex will wash off, giving some colour to the washing water – continue washing until no other colour comes off.
The beauty of using this method of dyeing greasy wools that some of the grease is retained by the fibre, thus enhancing the spinning characteristics.

Dyeing Yarn

A similar technique is used as for the greasy wool – multiple colours can be applied to the one hank, creating a space-dyed or variegated appearance. One of the features of this system is that you can see immediately the colour and the effects you are getting – whatever you paint or apply to the fibre will be the final appearance of the dyeing, Fixation of the dye is similar to that on greasy wool.

Dyeing Fabric

When dyeing fabric you can really let your imagination run riot. There are listless ideas for designs, colour ways, and dye application. Once the dye has been applied, the best method of fixing is to lay a sheet of plastic over the fabric a roll the whole lot up. The plastic stops the dye from marking off. Allow it to stand for 24 hours, then wash off.

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