Hey today we wrote up some tips for new dyers who are purchasing a kit.
Maybe you would find it helpful too! Here it is.
Welcome to The Majic
We are so happy you have chosen our wonderful dyes.
This box they arrived in is
great for storing your dyes, hang onto it!
Majic Carpet Dyes are easy to use and are great mixers. You
can dye any colour with any other colour in equal measures and get a wonderful
array of spectacular colours.
Use my handy toothpick measures for
light colours.
1/8 “ of round damp toothpick = 1/1,024 tsp.
¼ “ of a round damp toothpick = 1/512 tsp.
½ “ of a round damp toothpick = 1/256 tsp.
1 inch of a round damp toothpick = 1/128th tsp.
2” inches of a round damp toothpick = 1/64 tsp.
Use 1/32 to 1/16th tsp for medium colours
Use ¼ tsp for
darker ones or ½ tsp for colours approaching black over ¼ yd of wool
If the colours seem too bright out of the jar use a small
amount of Seal Brown to dull the warm colours( the colours you see in fire) and
use a small amount of black to dull the cool colours( the ones you see in
water). Please only use small amounts of citric acid to dye, you only need 1/32
tsp. for light colours and ½ tsp for dark ones.
Please join our free club for Majic Carpet practioners http://wandawaystudio.ning.com/group/the-majic-carpet-club
full of tips and help for these terrific dyes.
If you would like more concrete instruction I have a
Beginner dye Booklet for sale in my store, www.wandaworks.ca
. My online studio for creative and artistic growth is full of dyeing info,
only $30.00 a year.
I’m here to help you reach your dyeing goals.
Basic Dye Bath Method
Every
time we dye we are dealing with 4 things: Heat Wool Dyes Methods
Here
is the most basic method of dyeing.
Find
a large pot, pan that you can devote to dyeing.Fill it half way up with water,
heat to a simmer.
While
you wait, wet your wool very thoroughly with the addition of shampoo, jet dry,
or synthropol.
Add
dye to water ( use a formula to help you at first if you have never dyed
before)
Add
wool to water, stir around for smooth result, leave with out stirring for
mildly spottier results. Wait until almost all the dye has been absorbed into
the wool.
You can test this by dipping a white
spoon into dye bath to gauge how much colour is left.
Add acid or vinegar 1/32 tsp acid or 1 tbsp vinegar for a
light colour, up to 1/2 tsp acid or 1/3 cup vinegar for darker ones.
Leave
until all colour is in the wool and the water is clear, rinse well, dry.
I had typed a message but I don't think it went through so I'll try again, apologize if you've gotten this twice. I was wondering if the amount of citric acid put in the dye bath is different for the amount of wool being dyed? You've indicated light vs dark colors but I always thought the amount of wool had to be factored as well?
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Della
Hi Della, The amount of acid is directly tied to the amount of dye, it is those two who react, the wool is just the place where it happens.
ReplyDeleteIf you use 1/2 tsp of dye over a yd of fabric or 1/16th I would use the same amount of citric acid about 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. Keep in mind not all citric acids are equal in strength, there are 3 or 4 grades of them. I use the industrial grade. The type you get at your pharmacy id food grade and much weaker. Good question!