Fabric Dyeing -2

blue fabric swatch Some sources say Procion dyes are considered relatively non-toxic but I urge you to obtain and read the Material Safety Data Sheet before using them. (Anyone who sells the dyes should be able to supply the MSDS.) Then practise these basic safety precautions.

Since the dyes are a very fine powder, always wear a dust mask or respirator when mixing them to avoid inhaling any of the fine dust and always wear rubber gloves. Inhaling the dye powder can provoke allergic reactions and asthma attacks in sensitive people.
Use separate utensils and equipment and store them away from those used in food preparation.
Keep all dyes and chemicals securely away from children and pets.
Do not eat, drink or smoke while using the dyes.
There are no known risks associated with using these dyes, but if you are pregnant or nursing, discuss the matter with your doctor.
Old clothes. If you are like me and have found that no matter how careful you are, anything connected with any kind of pigment invariably adheres to what you are wearing; then old clothes (of maybe a wet suit) are a must.

Clean-up is very easy. Simply wash utensils and/or washing machine with soap and water. I found that it was much easier for me to put a layer of building plastic down on the floor and on the counters since I do tend to be just the teensiest bit messy. The dye will wash off counters easily with a cleanser with bleach but it's easier for me just to fold up the plastic and take it outside to hose it off after soaking up most of the spills with scrap fabric. This can create interesting new pieces of fabric to use.

Fiber-reactive dyes may be safely poured down the drain but if you have a septic system and have added soda ash (makes the solution alkaline) or vinegar or acidic acid (makes the solution acidic), you should neutralize the solution by adding vinegar to an alkaline solution or soda ash to an acidic solution to avoid upsetting the balance of the septic system. You can purchase PH test strips to test the solution before you pour it down the drain.

On those occasions when none of the fabulous fabrics available today is just exactly what you are looking for, you can now dye your own.

References for this section are:

Hand-Dyed Fabric Made Easy by Adriene Buffington
Complex Cloth: A Comprehensive Guide to Surface Design by Jane Dunnewold
Dharma Trading Catalogue
Pickled Fabric Workshop by StoneyRidgeRags
e-mail StoneyRidgeRags@earthlink.net

Click here for a complete list of references with publishers' addresses and contact information.

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