Is there a secret to dying fabric red? [Archive] - AmityMama.com

View Full Version : Is there a secret to dying fabric red?


Auntie Rachael
07-19-2005, 05:15 PM
I have some fire engine red in the washer right now and it looks like hot pink:( Is there anything I can do?

Thanks
Rachael

Danaia
07-19-2005, 05:29 PM
If you're going to do red, you have to use a LOT of dye. I would suggest using the whole 2 oz jar. I used 3 tbsp of it in an LWI batch when I made some PJ's.

mum2tori
07-19-2005, 06:20 PM
Probably have to re-dye it. :eyes:

Yep, it takes a lot of dye to get a really strong good red. And you have to really mix it well too. I always have to strain my red dye through a coffee filter because it doesn't always want to dissolve. :eyes: That is part of the reason why red fabric bleeds so much. It takes sooo much dye to get a good strong color that there is often lots of residual dye left in the fabric and it will eventually work its way out again. You also need to add a lot of salt to help it to set. I rarely vat dye red because it takes sooooo much dye.

Danaia
07-19-2005, 06:23 PM
Samantha - I've found that if I heat up some water to boiling in and then add the dye to it and mix it up really well, that it helps with the little bits that don't disolve.

Yes, and don't forget the salt!!!