Play with nature and dye your own scarf! In this workshop we will focus on bundle dyeing on silk with onion skins as well as with some floral waste. We will talk about how to treat your fabrics prior to dyeing and after dyeing, as well as exploring how using household items can shift the colors of our bundle dye by modifying the pH. This is a pay what you can - donation only workshop.
Guests may bring their own silk scarves or garments to dye, or they may purchase a bundle dying kit at the event. (Note: kits will be sold on a sliding scale for $10-$20, but there will be a few kits available for free to those who cannot afford to purchase their own kit. Please contact Kate Battle at battle@comfortstationlogansquare.org for more info.)
If you have a small silk garment that you want to bundle dye, bring it, but make sure to scour your fabric with synthrapol or follow the instructions found below the natural dye ‘’vocab.”
Each dye kit includes:
* A pre-mordanted 100% silk scarf 22’’x22’’
* Assorted flower petals
* Onion skins
* Cotton thread
* Color Modifiers
Silk is a protein fiber that takes the color of your natural dye items so beautifully without fuss, making it a nice first step into the natural dyeing world!
Natural dye vocab:
Scouring- It’s kind of like deep cleaning that removes the dirts, waxes, grease and quemical additives that sometimes make their way to the production of the fabric. Removing these impurities will ensure that your fabric will bind more easily with natural dyes. Each fabric has a different type of scouring bath.
pH neutral soap- A gentle soap, non - reactive that is suggested for the wash care of natural dyes.
Mordanting- The mordant prepares the natural fiber to successfully attach to natural dyes. It’s sort of like creating a ‘’quemical’’ bond between the fiber and the dye
Protein fibers- Natural fibers that come from animals such as wool, silk, cashmere…
Cellulose fibers- Fibers that come from plant such as cotton, linen, bamboo, hemp…
Bundle dyeing- The process of transferring color from natural matter to a piece of fabric by rolling them together and steaming it.
Natural dye stuff- A natural material that makes dye ( usually petals, leaves, fruits and vegetable husks, barks, plants, etc…)
Instructions for Scouring silk
1-Wash your garment with a ph neutral detergent (seven generations could your just fine)
After washing
2- Place your garment in a pot with 2 parts water and 1 part vinegar ( your garment should be floating freely so adjust it to necessity) and just a little bit of your neutral detergent.
3- Place your pot on the stove first at high heat and then reduce (your garment SHOULD NOT boil, just keep it on the hot side of it). Leave your garment on the stove for about 25 to 30 mins checking it and turning it around every 8 or 10mins
4- Let your garment cool a little, and proceed to wash it with cool water to remove any remaining soap.
You have now scoured your fabric, yay!!