Silks?

[rere]

So I'm just wondering....do you wash your silks before dying them?

[alegna]

I don't.

-Angela

[Spirulina&Sage]

i never have..

[FillingMyQuiver]

I was just coming to ask this same question...

[rere]

Me either but I was curious what other people did.Thanks for your replies.

[dvons]

Nope, not me either.

[Kari_mom]

I don't wash them (despite the dire warnings on some websites), but I do wet them in water first for more even dye colors.

[mamaverdi]

Yep I do. And then put them straight in the dye pot.

[EricaLeigh]

Are you using Kool-Aid? I would like do do some for gifts. Dharma?
Thanks!

[rere]

Originally Posted by EricaLeigh

Are you using Kool-Aid? I would like do do some for gifts. Dharma?
Thanks!

Yes,I used Kool-aid and got the silks from Dharma.It's really easy and they came out really pretty!

[EricaLeigh]

Thanks!!! Did you end up washing them first?

[rere]

Originally Posted by EricaLeigh

Thanks!!! Did you end up washing them first?

No,I didn't wash them or even get them wet because i wasn't concerned about the color being even.

[rere]

Originally Posted by mamaverdi

Yep I do. And then put them straight in the dye pot.

Have you found a benefit to washing first or is that just what you've always done?

[~MoonGypsy~]

A little OT - Are you guys using the 5mm Habotai veils from Dharma?

[rere]

Originally Posted by ~MoonGypsy~

A little OT - Are you guys using the 5mm Habotai veils from Dharma?

I used the haboti scarves from dharma.And I think I might get some sarongs to use as curtains.

[~MoonGypsy~]

Originally Posted by rere

I used the haboti scarves from dharma.And I think I might get some sarongs to use as curtains.

Thanks!

[EricaLeigh]

Thanks rere for this thread! I ordered the scarves form Dharma yesterday! I've read the tutorial at the top of the thread & I'm wondering if that is what you followed? Did you use vinegar? Micro or stovetop? Thanks again!

[rere]

Originally Posted by EricaLeigh

Thanks rere for this thread! I ordered the scarves form Dharma yesterday! I've read the tutorial at the top of the thread & I'm wondering if that is what you followed? Did you use vinegar? Micro or stovetop? Thanks again!

Ooo glad you're going to do it!I used a splash of vinegar but I didn't use the stove or the micro.Usually when I dye stuff I use the stove.Since I was just doing one silk per kool aid color I just put the smallest amount of hot water and vinegar in a bowl with the pack of kool aid.And then put the silk in until it soaked up most of the liquid. I wasn't super concerned with the color.They did all turn out really nice colors though.The dark cherry flavor came out a really pretty pink.The colors probably come out darker if you use the directions in the sticky but I was happy with the results i got and it was really fast.Now I want to hang silks all over the house. Good luck to you!

[gmvh]

Since I was just doing one silk per kool aid color I just put the smallest amount of hot water and vinegar in a bowl with the pack of kool aid.And then put the silk in until it soaked up most of the liquid.

Some friends and I sent all day yesterday (between five children five and under!) dyeing two dozen silks and this is basically what we did but they are all bleeding like crazy! I'm worried that water or some other liquid will get on them and stain whatever they are touching - clothes, the couch, etc.

When I rinse with cold water it runs clear but when I rinse with hot water it runs color. Help! Yesterday we steamed a bunch of them and it hasn't seemed to help. Today we moved to a different house and tried microwaving them in Pyrex with water and vinegar and they're still running color. HELP!?! Or should I not worry about the bleeding? Would putting them through the dryer help set the color? What about Synthrapol (or however you spell it)?

Thanks!!!

We dyed wool earlier this year and had no problems and of course everything I read said silks were easier and we've had a bear of a time with it!

[rere]

Hmmm?I didn't have that trouble at all.Mine ran clear almost immediately.Maybe you should put them through the wash machine on a hot cold cycle.Although i've never done that with silks before.Maybe just try one to see what happens.I've also heard that dawn dish soap works well to help with color bleeding.Well,I hope it works out for you!