Last week I started writing my next Quilt University course called, imaginatively enough, "Dyeing Wool". It will be a four course affair covering the basics of dyeing wool yarn, wool roving, wool fabric/felt with acid dyes, Procion MX dyes and some natural dyes. I have posted some dyed wool yarn results on this blog so now need to test roving for those spinners out there or felters who are in love with nuno and needle felting and other fabulous fiber fun.
I started with one ounce of roving which measures about 58" in length.
I made a recipe with the acid dyes that I can duplicate with Procion MX dyes. I wanted a red orange color; the point being to see the differences in color when the Procion MX dyes are used fresh; after 1 week, and then again after 2 week's time. This is the MX dyeing the roving. I had a pan next to it that contained the acid dyes. When "cooking" the colors looked fairly similar.
It was in the rinsing process that the big shift occurred. About half of the intensity of color came out with the rinse but of course the acid dyes held fast and rinsing was a snap. What goes in, stays in. Beautiful.
Here you can see the difference in the two colors. Everything is identical except for the dye powder used.
I have saved some liquid Procion MX without any chemicals in it to test again in one week. Then I have a third batch that I will test again in two weeks. Supposedly, Procion dyes can be used as acid dyes after a two week wait period. In my testing so far, this has been true. Bright, vivid colors. I'll keep you posted.
I would expect this class to be ready for public consumption early in 2011. Interested?
8 comments:
Does the bear live in the woods?
Absolutely!!
J
interested? yep!
(Jackie is much funnier than me!)
decades ago I used to do rug hooking and someday plan to get back to it. overdyeing the wool from the goodwill store deconstructed garments is my goal.
"Live"???? Hahhahaha. I remember the first time I ever heard that expression. I nearly wet myself...
I have you both on my list.
"I have you both on my list."
well, that sounds ominous. list of troublemakers? list of people to watch? White House enemies list?
;)
last time I flew to Europe I was pulled out of line on 3 out of 4 legs of the trip and searched. obviously I was on some kind of list. DD said it was because "Warren" rhymes with "Bin Laden".
The English version is "Can a duck swim". Count me in. Something to look forward to in the New Year
Pamela
I also have Pamela on "my list".
I wonder if because DragonPoodle used the name Bin Laden (rhymes with Warren) on my blog if you really ARE on a "list" somewhere other than the one on my desk to take the wool dyeing class??? If so, I hope those people making the list and watching would consider taking the class as well. All are welcome!
Dyeing wool with Procion MX dyes? I'm keen to learn how. Please put me on your list.
Suedee, Australia.
Oh yes, I'm interested big time! Let me know when this class is going to be, please!
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