How do you dye your mama cloth?

[homemommie]

I bought a set of mama cloths that included several undyed bamboo. The seller told me I could dye them myself with vinegar and koolaid. No instructions beyond that. I've tried heating the vinegar and koolaid to the point of boiling or near boiling and then adding the mama cloth. I let it sit in the solution over night then let it air dry the next day. The color washed right out as soon as it was washed. I make my own soap (borax, baking soda, zote,...) so nothing bleaching. So apprently I'm doing something wrong. *sigh*

So how do *you* dye yours? Also how do you achieve a tie dye without making a muddy mess? I would like to make a pink/purple or a green/blue. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[Ruthla]

You can't dye cotton with kool-aid. That only works on wool (and possibly silk.) To dye cotton, you need something intended to be a fabric dye- I personally get the procion dyes from www.dharmatradingcompany.com

When I dyed my mama pads, I dyed them first and then sewed them. Actually, I planned to dye them and then sew them, but never got around to sewing them. They work pretty well as "flats" and I've been too busy to take on a new sewing project. I might get creative with sewing to entice DD to use them though.

[homemommie]

Well that would explain it then! Hmmmm....