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tobyjavin
New Pal
48 Posts |
 Posted - 01/31/2005 : 1:09:18 PM
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Has anyone tried overdying silk with kool-aid? My mom bought a silk shirt and the first time it was washed it turned spotted. something about the dye didn't take right. I told her I wanted the shirt since she couldn't wear it as it was. I was planning on making a baby something but thought I might try dying before cutting.
-Rachel |
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TheNakedKnitter
Chatty Knitter
282 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2005 : 2:24:45 PM
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Hi Rachel,
It seems that Kool-Aid dyeing is not going to work on silk, since it's not an animal fiber.
Here is a link on Knitty for more info:
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall02/FEATdyedwool.html
I'm sure that the silk can be dyed, but hopefully someone who's done it can give you a recommendation.
Nicole |
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RachelKnitter
Permanent Resident
USA
2995 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2005 : 4:11:51 PM
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| Technically, silk is an animal fiber because it comes from silkworms, but it's not really animal hair, so I don't know if it would take the kool-aid dye or not. |
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Momma78239
Permanent Resident
USA
4859 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2005 : 11:33:22 AM
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It's a protein fiber, so it should work. Try a dab on a seam allowance and see what happens.
-Wendy
____________
He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers-all of them master craftsmen and designers.
--Exodus 35:35 |
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SerMom
Permanent Resident
Canada
6412 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2005 : 12:20:30 AM
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Well, how'd it go???
Barbara
Remember, we're self-selecting!
My photos: I've gone back to yahoo!
My blog:
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tobyjavin
New Pal
48 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2005 : 07:51:26 AM
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Just did this yesterday. Turned out pretty well. Silk does take the dye although perhaps not as well as wool. I used Black Cherry to over dye a lavender shirt. Most of it turned a med rose. NOT what I was expecting. But I don't think I used enough kool aid & didn't exhast the dye bath. Plus I did this in a gallon size bag & there wasn't quite enough room to make sure it dyed evenly.
Still very pleased with the results & will do again given the chance.
-Rachel |
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pjkite
Permanent Resident
1198 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2005 : 08:34:38 AM
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Just in case you do try this again, a few hints...
You can dye any protein fiber with kool-aid (or food coloring, for that matter). To get the best results on silk, you'll want to use a dye-pot with plenty of room for the fabric/yarn to move around. Also, pre-soak the silk in hot tap water with a glug of vinegar and a drop or two of dish detergent. The vinegar will act as a mordant and allow the dye to strike more evenly.
Pre-mix the dyestuff with boiling water. Bring the dye bath to just below boiling (between 180 and 190 degrees Farenheit - use a thermometer), stir in the pre-mixed dye, then put in the pre-soaked silk. Stir gently (I use a chopstick). Allow to remain in the hot dye bath until dye exhausts (water turns mostly clear) or silk is desired color. Remove from dyebath, cool and rinse in warm water until rinse-water runs clear.
You don't want the dye-bath to boil because silk is rather fragile - boiling water is too hot and will "explode" the fragile silk fibers. You do want to pre-mix the dye in boiling water because it will dissolve more easily. I also add vinegar to the dye - again, it seems to help give good strong colors on silk with kool-aid.
There are endless variations on dyeing silk, including painting various colors on the silk and then steaming it to set the dye. Steaming can be done in the oven, microwave, or on top of the stove. Again, it's important to control the temperature. A rule of thumb for dyeing with kool-aid is to weigh the dry silk, then use one envelope of kool aid per ounce of silk.
I love doing this, usually on silk caps that I'm going to spin later. You can get some absolutely beautiful colors!
Pamela Kite
East Tennessee
http://fiberlife.blogspot.com/
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