I have been meaning to start a blog for a number of years but never really 'found the time'. My daughter has finally shamed me into doing it. Her blog (thestringempire.blogspot.com) is funny, informative and full of creative ideas. So I'm going to start with something that, for me, underpins a lot of what I do.
My love affair with dyeing my own fabrics began whilst studying natural dyeing as part of my degree. I've also been teaching sixth form students and adults how to dye a variety of fabrics using different techniques for over 20 years. Yet there are always new things to discover and to try.
Most of the dyeing is by using reactive dyes like Procion or Dylon on cotton or silk fabrics and threads.
I make up a large container of soda solution (either 300ml of soda ash per litre of warm water or 200g of washing soda per litre of hot water). The fabric or thread to be dyed is then soaked in this for about 10 minutes.
Each dye is made up in a squeezy sauce bottle (a bottle used for home hair dyeing works just as well). I make up a salt solution (2 tablespoons per litre of warm water) and add it to a scant teaspoon of dye powder. You should wear a dust mask when using the powder and remember to block the spout when shaking up the dye.
The dye is then used in a variety of ways.
I use cat litter trays or ice cream containers depending on the size of the fabric. The fabric is folded, scrunched or tied. The dyes are then carefully squirted onto the fabric. (The secret is not to have the fabric sitting in liquid - if necessary drain it off). The fabric is then left for anything from 20 minutes to 24 hours before being rinsed thoroughly.
