[hannahmom]

I HAVE to post pics later. I am FINALLY feeling the prefold <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/love.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="love"> I want to keep half nice and sparkling white but I think it would be fun to dye the other half. What do you use? Kool-aid would eventually fade and wash out, is that right?

 

[Jenb]

I use a procion dye-(a fiber reactive dye). You can find them at better Art supply stores and sometimes quilting/fabric shops. I like the brand Jacquard.<br>
You can also order wonderful dyes from Dharma trading online<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
You are right, Koolaid will fade quickly, Koolaid/food coloring works best on protein fibers-like wool<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[Mavournin]

Kool-Aid won't work because it only works with animal fibers. (Think wool, silk..) You need a procion dye, used for dyeing natural fibers like cotton, linen etc. Head over to Dharma Trading (<a href="http://www.dharmatrading.com" target="_blank">www.dharmatrading.com</a>) and check out the suff there. Or look for Dylon at your Wal-Mart or Joanne's Fabrics (or elsewhere that has that kind of stuff). If you just want to play around and not spend a lot of money, it gets tempting to use RIT, but just don't. The quality of the pigment is much lower and it fades way too quickly. JMO though.

 

[Jenb]

PS<br>
I just did some a few days ago-They are on the bottom shelf left hand side-<a href="http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/someonefromstorknet/album?.dir=/fba9" target="_blank">Dyed Prefolds</a>

 

[kimberlylibby]

Poop. It makes great brown streaks down the middle.<br><br>
Sigh, I'm in a mood today aren't i?<br><br>
Nah, I use dharma trading co's procion dyes <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1"> They're great! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up">

 

[Susan_McCormack]

I have a question about procion dyes. I've got a bottle of procion MX dye and I tried dyeing cotton and it didn't seem to take. Do I need something else to make it "stick"?<br><br>
TIA!!

 

[Trishy]

<i>Moving to Sewing and Crafts.</i>

 

[Jenb]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Susan_McCormack</strong></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I have a question about procion dyes. I've got a bottle of procion MX dye and I tried dyeing cotton and it didn't seem to take. Do I need something else to make it "stick"?<br><br>
TIA!!</div>
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Hey Susan,<br><br>
Yes, you do need to use both salt, and Soda Ash-which acts as a fixative. Soda Ash is an alkalai that enables the reaction between the dye and the fibers.<br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[oneotamama]

is the only downfall of rit dye that it fades quickly? i can't find the other stuff you're talking about. what's the webste for dharma? tia!

 

[ma2maya]

<a href="http://www.dharmatrading.com" target="_blank">http://www.dharmatrading.com</a><br><br>
Have you tried Walmart or Joanns(ifyou have one)? They generally carry tie dye kits that contain procion dyes. Also, most art supply stores that carry high quality artist supplies probably carry a brand of procion dyes(probably from Jacquard)<br><br>
Good Luck!<br>
Kathy

 

[Sleepymama]

Yep, also if you have hard water add some water softener.<br><br>
Dharma has instructions here<br><a href="http://www.dharmatrading.com/info/vat_dye.html" target="_blank">http://www.dharmatrading.com/info/vat_dye.html</a><br><br>
I read you can get soda ash at pool supply places but I've only ordered mine from Dharma. It's not that expensive if you are already ordering from them.

 

[laurabfig]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>kimberlylibby</strong></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Poop. It makes great brown streaks down the middle.<br></div>
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I just have to say this cracked me up...<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin"> That is why I dye all my prefolds....to hide the stains! I agree with everyone re. dharma....and they ship FAST! I get my dyes quicker from them than if I were to cart both kids out to a store and try to look for some! They usually ship the same day they get your order and have EXCELLENT customer service. just my .02 <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[kathryn5kids]

I'm new to dyes. they don't wash out into other cothes?

 

[Colorful~Mama]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">I'm new to dyes. they don't wash out into other cothes?</td>
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Nope. Not if done correctly. If you use soda ash to 'fix' the dye and wash separately at least once in hot with synthropol or a free/clear detergent with vinegar you should be fine. I always recommend folks wash in hot separately or with darks the first time or two just to be safe. after that its fine<br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
and i also use procion mx fiber reactive dyes on cottons - usually from an art supply store locally or dharma trading

 

[Brayg]

I got a tie dye kid from JoAnn's--it was a Jacquard one. It worked very well. It came with the soda ash, rubber gloves, rubber bands, 3 colors and 4 bottles (one extra so you can mix an additional color. Easy peasy and fun! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[kathryn5kids]

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where do you buy this?

 

[Perogi]

I picked up Dylon cold about a month ago and they worked great!

 

[Susan_McCormack]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Jenb</strong></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Hey Susan,<br><br>
Yes, you do need to use both salt, and Soda Ash-which acts as a fixative. Soda Ash is an alkalai that enables the reaction between the dye and the fibers.<br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"></div>
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Thanks for letting me know! Do you know if this works on wool as well? And is it colorfast???<br><br>
Thanks again!

 

[oshunmama]

I got Rainbow Rock dyes from Walmart on clearance. Worked wonderfully. I did them ALL!

 

[twouglyducks]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Sleepymama</strong></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Yep, also if you have hard water add some water softener.<br><br>
Dharma has instructions here<br><a href="http://www.dharmatrading.com/info/vat_dye.html" target="_blank">http://www.dharmatrading.com/info/vat_dye.html</a><br><br>
I read you can get soda ash at pool supply places but I've only ordered mine from Dharma. It's not that expensive if you are already ordering from them.</div>
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I bought 4lbs of soda ash for $4 at the pool supply store here. I just didn't want to pay that much for shipping from Dharma, since it's heavy.<br><br>
But, on water softener, can you use baking soda or calgon? I know those both soften water in the wash, just wondering if it's the same thing.