DIY Network

Dyeing to Quilt The members of Material Evolution create a circle-design quilt. From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-148

Material Evolution members Lisa Call, Carol Krueger and Christine Ambrose, joining forces to create a breathtaking quilt from hand-dyed fabrics and threads, share their techniques for dyeing as well as piecing and quilting.

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Lisa Call demonstrates how to dye fabrics using a dump-and-pour method that allows you to dye in small batches.

Hand-Dyed Fabric

Hand-Dyed Fabric

Note: Please follow the following precautions whenever you are dyeing.

• Follow all of the manufacturer's safety precautions.

• Use gloves and a dust mask when you are mixing powdered chemicals and dyes.

• Wipe up spills immediately with a damp paper towel; discard the thowel.

• Wear old clothes and an apron or smock.

• Do not eat or drink while you work with dyes.

• Use equipment only for dyeing, not for food.

• Do not dye in the kitchen.

Materials:

	Figure A
	Figure B

Pimatex PFD Bleach White 100% cotton fabric from Robert Kaufman (available at quilting stores), or any other high-quality PFD (prepared for dye) 100% cotton fabric (figure A)
Procion MX Fiber Reactive Dyes., 2oz each of Pro Sun Yellow 108, ProMixing Red 305, Pro Mixing Blue 402 (figure B)
1 c. soda ash
1/2 c. urea
small bottle of synthrapol
dust mask
rubber gloves
paper towels
3 water bottles to mix dye solution
funnel
1-c. measuring cup
1-gal. container for soda ash solution
small plastic spoons
large spoon to mix soda ash solution

Note: This method of dyeing is very simple and doesn't require precise measurements.

	Figure C
	Figure D

1. Fabric does not need to be prewashed. Cut it into 1-yd. lengths, thoroughly wet each piece and place it in a plastic container (figure C).

2. Wearing rubber gloves and dusk mask, place funnel into top of water bottle. Add a largish spoonful of dye powder to bottle, 1 largish spoonful of urea and about 1 c. of warm (but not hot) water. Replace the lid on the bottle and shake until the dye and urea are dissolved. Mix yellow, red and blue in separate containers (figure D). Rinse all tools that have come in contact with the dye powder and wipe up any spills carefully.

Note: The dust mask can be removed after all dye powder is cleaned up. Keep rubber gloves on for all steps.

3. Pour a mixture of the dyes into the measuring cup to make the desired color. Use the white fabric to test your color, adjusting proportions of colors as needed. To make lighter colors, fill the mixing cup with plain water (1/2 c. up to almost a full cup for very light colors) before adding the dye mixtures.

	Figure E
	Figure F

4. Pour the dye mixture over the fabric and work it into the fabric by hand or with a large wooden spoon. The more you agitate the fabric, the more solid or uniform the color will be (figure E).

5. Wait 5 minutes to several hours, as your schedule permits. Mix 1 gal. hot water with about 3/4 c. soda ash. Mix until the soda ash dissolves. Pour 1 c. of the soda ash mixture over each yard of fabric and work it into the fabric by hand or with a large wooden spoon.

6. Let the fabric "batch" overnight; the chemical reaction needs at least about 68 degrees to work properly.

7. Remove the fabric from the bins and place in the washing machine filled with cold water and a Tbsp. of synthrapol (figure F). Agitate for 5-10 minutes and drain. Refill the washer with very hot water, add a bit of synthrapol and run through the wash and rinse cycles. Repeat 1 or 2 more times (with hot water). Dry the fabric in hot dryer and press.

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