subject: Different Methods For Fabric Dyeing [print this page] Fabric dyeing has probably been around for millennia. Some historians believe that people began dyeing fabric to cover stains or minimize dirt. Fabrics dyeing can be a rewarding do-it-yourself project. There are many different methods of dyeing both fabrics and yarns. Reusing, recycling and recoloring old materials help the environment as well as provide a creative outlet for producing artistic pieces. Some of the most popular fabrics dyeing techniques that can be done at home include coloring yarn in coils as well as applying batik and shibori methods onto fabrics.
Tea Dyeing
It is not known how long tea dyeing has been around, but it may have been almost as long as the history of tea itself. Tea dyeing is a easy and economic way for anyone to dye clothing or linens. Tea baths can dye fabrics in an astounding range of colors. In general, the stronger the smell of the tea, the darker its color. Although the fabric will smell like the tea after its tea bath, washing it once should get rid of any smell.
To fix the color when tea dyeing, one of a variety of mordants must be used. Alum and cream of tartar are two common mordants. Before dyeing the fabric, make sure that it has been washed in hot water to remove any bleach and shrink the fabric. Do not try to dye synthetic fabrics with tea, since the dye will not take. Make sure the fabric is wet when you begin the dyeing process.
Shibori
Shibori is the ancient Japanese art of fabrics dyeing. The process begins with drawing a shape or design onto a piece of cloth. Next, a needle is threaded with thread and worked on the drawn pattern in a type of knot stitch. The shibori crafter decides where to add the stitches to the drawing to create an interesting final result.
The knotted fabric is dipped in one or more different colors of dye such as sulphur black(C6H4N2O5, CAS:1326-82-5). After dyeing the threaded cloth, the thread is removed to reveal a hazy type of design effect. Different techniques can be used to vary the look. For instance, if the fabric is gathered up or pleated in the shibori fabrics dyeing process, the end result will look much different than knotting alone produces.
Batik
Batik is a method of fabrics dyeing that uses both wax and dye. The method is very old and originates in Africa and Asia. The fabric is pre-washed, dried and ironed before being stretched over a tray or board. An embroidery hoop may be used instead. A design is drawn onto the fabric before melted wax is applied to the parts of the pattern that will stay the same color as the cloth.
