Wednesday, December 14, 2011

copied from Thebabywearer.com
for my Future ref:

Re: Wrap Dyeing Tips
I'd like to add my step by step instructions. In NO WAY am I saying this is the right way to do it, but it worked great for us!

It took awhile for me to come up with a plan, but then once I wrote it down and got organized we were good to go, so I'd thought I'd share!

We used Dharma Procion dyes. Also we did not use any of the extras, due to the warnings etc... but my results were perfectly even, no freckling, marbling etc...

First thing is to figure out how many gallons your machine holds on the smallest load. Mine was 10, which is average, so we'll use that as a guideline. Unless your wrap is over 8 lbs (which it won't be) the smallest load is fine.

1. Wash your wrap in HOT water, no detergent. Put somewhere clean and keep it wet.

2. Fill you machine again using WARM water. Once full, lift lid and add 10 cups of non-iodized salt. Close lid, let agitate a couple of minutes.

3. Mix 4 TBS dye (this is variable based on your colors, but in the ball park of what to use) in an old tupperware container with just enough water to make a paste. Then add another cup of warm water, mix again, and pour into washing machine. Let agitate another few minutes.

4. Add wet wrap.

5. Let agitate 20 minutes. You will need to periodically lift lid and reset the timer so it remains on the agitate cycle and does not drain your dye bath. Also periodically open lid and untwist wrap.

6. Measure 1 1/4 c. soda ash and put in an old tupperware container.

7. In another container put approx. 1/4 c. warm water, then sprinkle in a few TBS of the soda ash in and mix. This gets messy/ clumpy. Try to keep it as smooth as possible. Open lid and push your wrap to one side. Pour in the soda ash/ water mixture, making sure it does not directly touch your wrap. Close lid and let agitate a couple of minutes.

8. Repeat step 7 until all of your 1 1/4 c. soda ash ahs been added to the machine. This will take about 15 minutes, but don't rush it!

9. Close lid, let agitate 20- 60 minutes depending on depth of color. (I did 40 minutes) Periodically stop and untwist wrap.

10. Let finish the cycle when your time is up.

11. Do another cycle on cold.

12. Do a HOT cycle. Very important, this is what bonds the dye to the fabric so your LO doesn't ingest it!!

13. Do as many HOT cycles until the water is perfectly clear. (For me it was only 1, but dark colors can take MANY!)

14. Dry your wrap and enjoy!!

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