Posted: Mon May 02, 11 11:13 am Post subject: Cold water natural dyeing
I have a large american top loader in the garage. It isn't plumbed in, I just physically bucket the water into the top.
I'd like to use it for some natural dyeing as it's so big. Specifically I want to dye up a wool blanket and then make up a cape/cloak.
Any ideas for cold water dyestuffs ... mind you thinking about it I will need heat in order to mordant won't I ?
Perhaps this isn't such a good idea
naomij
Joined: 03 Mar 2011 Posts: 379 Location: Kent coast
Posted: Mon May 02, 11 2:08 pm Post subject:
I have with madder on unmordanted cotton, just as an experiment. Some folk would have left madder pot in the sun for days/weeks to keep it at ideal temp. I think madder would be ideal.
Whenever I try a new dye, once the wool is done and I turn the heat off, I chuck in a scrap of silk and it always takes to some extent. What is it you're dyeing? I'm only a beginner btw so more nosy than useful!
naomij
Joined: 03 Mar 2011 Posts: 379 Location: Kent coast
Posted: Mon May 02, 11 2:10 pm Post subject:
As for mordant issue, maybe chuck it in with the dye stuff when you cool it up and hope for the best?
Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Posts: 13967 Location: Eastoft
Posted: Mon May 02, 11 9:37 pm Post subject:
does it not heat water itself? Most washers do.
The more modern ones heat a cold only supply but the older ones heat hot to the temperature that they want.
It doesn't like not being plumbed in - it will only agitate on one cycle and spends most of it's time trying to drain for dear life
Bernie66
Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Posts: 13967 Location: Eastoft
Posted: Mon May 02, 11 9:42 pm Post subject:
cant you get it to fill from the bucket, let it suck its water from there so it thinks its plumbed in?
naomij
Joined: 03 Mar 2011 Posts: 379 Location: Kent coast
Posted: Mon May 02, 11 9:44 pm Post subject:
Ooh that's where I read about leaving it in the sun but I'd forgotten the link, thankyou! I guess its the right time of year to start anyway I think I might try this in one of those plastic tubs in the garden (but will mordant the quick way first!)
cant you get it to fill from the bucket, let it suck its water from there so it thinks its plumbed in?
I will try that - I think I know where there is a hose
sally_in_wales Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 06 Mar 2005 Posts: 20809 Location: sunny wales
Posted: Tue May 03, 11 8:04 am Post subject:
I think you'll be ok with alum if you dissolve it in a bucket of hot water first and give it all plenty of time to soak, I'd be tempted to put the blanket in with the alum a day before you put the madder in, then agitate gently a few times a day for maybe as long as a week, you should get a good strong colour
I think I might try this in one of those plastic tubs in the garden (but will mordant the quick way first!)
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