Replies

1. 
   sally_webster | Apr 13, 1999 12:45am | #1

   *
   I'm in the UK and would use Dylon. Do you have a similar product in the States? You can achieve all kinds of interesting effects by folding or tying your fabric first and using more than one colour of dye. I think this gives much more interesting results than trying to get a flat colour - which can also me much more difficult unless you are using a machine dye. Maybe nor so advisable with linen in case it frays. Give it a wash before you try to dye it. This will remove any dressing that might resist the dye. Good Luck!

1. 
   K.Kelly | Apr 13, 1999 02:05am | #2

   *Thanks so much for the advice! I'll have to try them.

1. 
   Debra_Lancaster | Apr 13, 1999 03:51am | #3

   *You might try going to the Dharma Trading Co. site (www.dharmatrading.com) or other similar sites to see what they have to say. Since linen is cellulose, it should dye more or less like cotton does.

1. 
   Sarah_Kayla | Apr 14, 1999 08:53pm | #4

   *If i had lots of space to lay out the fabric i would prewash the fabric, and then paint/dye it. laying on various families of colors, bluegreen purples, or any other color families that you like - red pink purple, brown-green yellow. Sprinkle the surface with salt and it wil look really pretty. If I were short on space (as I really am) I would cut out the pattern pieces and dye them and then sew the garments together, or dye smaller pieces and then piece into a larger garment. have a blast!Sarah

1. 
   Alexandra_Galway | Apr 19, 1999 07:30pm | #5

   *have dyed much linen using a variety of techniques with fabulous results.Fibre reactive dyes from PRO CHEMICAL & DYE 1-800 228-9393- colours are fabulous and after numerous washings maintain crisp colour .If you ask they will send you project sheets on various dye techniques eg. tye dye, immersion,direct application etc.Also Maiwa Handprints in Vancouver,Canada (604-669-3939) carry good quality dyes. Wash your linen before dying as fabric sizing/dressing will restrict the dyes immersion into the fibre.Good luck!!(pro chem catalogue is free)

2. 
   fiyo | Apr 21, 1999 10:05am | #6

   *I agree - ProChem fiber reactive dyes are the best, and they have great tech-support. Don't let the catalogue scare you! Dharma Trading is good, too, and they put dye recipes right in the catalogue - very easy to follow. Try starting with solid color (exhaust) dyeing, and when you get that down, you can try thickening the dye and "painting" with it. Unlike paint, the dye doesn't change the hand (feel) of the fabric. Belive it or not, liquid Rit dye works well, especially if you throw some of ProChem's dye activator in the dye bath. I'm not sure that I would experiment like this on good linen fabric, though, lol! Good luck, but be careful - dyeing is addictive! : )Patty