Dyeing Playsilks

[milk_maker]

I need some advice on the easiest/quickest way to dye playsilks with fiber reactive dyes from dharma. I dyed on using the vat method (bringing to simmer in pot on stove) but it was SO time-consuming.

I'm just wondering if there's an easier way to get the same results without having to spend 30+ minutes on one color. I have 24 silks to dye, all different colors. This will take weeks, if not months because I'm limited to an hour or two each night once the kids are in bed.

[Zoeanne]

Dont have an answer for you, but maybe there is one on this thread?

[JamieCatheryn]

Are they fiber reactive dyes or acid dyes? FRD don't require heat, but your end colors will be hit or miss on silk. You could set up many little bowls but they would still all need to be tended to and it would take 30 minutes. Constant stirring isn't a big deal for small items that are fully submersed. Do they need to be uniformly dyed or would tie-die effect be good? Tie die will go faster, get them all saturated and into bags and leave them however long you want. You could also try to tie-dye using the kool-aid and microwave in a bag method.