HowTo

Permanent Liquid Fibre Reactive Dyes

Permanent Liquid Fibre Reactive Dyes are highly concentrated water-based liquids that can be used in hot or cold water and produce brilliant non-fading colours. When used with a fixative or medium the colours have exceptional wash-fastness on silk, cotton, hemp, rayon, linen, paper, wool, raffia and reeds. These colours conform to ASTM D-4236 safety standards, contain no airborne powders or harmful alcohol vapours. Colours have no affect on the feel or sheen of the material dyed. For: Silk Painting, Shibori, Tie Dyeing, Vat/Immersion dyeing, Watercolour, Relief Printing, Screenprinting, Paper Making and Batik

Liquid Fibre Reactive Dye Colour Guide
Yellow, Golden Yellow, Orange, Red, Cool Red, Magenta, Turquoise, Blue, Marine Blue, Emerald Green, Forest Green, Violet, Brown & Black.

Liquid Fibre Reactive Colours User Guide

Tie Dyeing

1) For best results, wash item first to remove sizing (if necessary).
2) Presoak fabric with water.
3) Make fixative solution by adding 5 heaped tablespoons of Soda Ash and 1/4 cup salt per 4 litres (half bucket) of water. (8 litres of fixative solution will do roughly three T-shirts)
4) Add presoaked fabric to mixture and allow to soak for at least 30 minutes.
5) Remove item from fixative solution, wring gently, leave damp.
6) Fold, twist, and tie fabric using strings, rubber bands, etc.
7) Dilute Liquid Fibre Reactive Dyes with 7 parts water. Drop dye onto fabric by squeeze bottle, eye dropper, syringe, cotton swab, etc.
8) Dyes become permanent by placing item into a plastic bag for at least 24 hours or longer (preferably in a warm place) then remove and rinse under cool water until water runs clear. Remove bindings from item. Soak item in warm water with detergent for 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Lay item flat to dry. Once dry, place in dryer for additional setting. Colours may be left for days to increase colour intensity.

NOTE: Use a suitable Detergent (without bleach) or you may find that too much colour washes out. Most household detergents are not recommended. CREATEX Detergent is recommended.

Immersion/Vat Dyeing

1) For best results, wash item first to remove sizing (if necessary). Do not use bleach, whiteners, or softeners.
2) Make up a dye bath by adding enough water to allow fabrics to flow freely. Estimate dry weight of fabric to determine proper amount of dye and fixative necessary.

Use following guide: (NOTE: This is a guide only, all dyeing procedures should be tested first.)

Dye amounts for 450gms of fabric:
Light shades: 5ml to 15ml dye
Medium shades: 15ml to 45ml. dye
Heavy shades: 60ml to 180ml dye.

Fixative amounts 4 litres (half bucket) of water:
Light shades: 15gms Soda Ash, 60gms salt
Medium shades: 45gms Soda Ash, 120gms salt
Heavy shades: 70gms Soda Ash, 170gms. Salt

3) Add dissolved salt and dye to dye bath.
4) Presoak fabric in water and place into dye bath, stir for 5 minutes
5) Pre-dissolve Soda Ash in hot water and add to dye bath.
6) Stir the fabric at 10 minute intervals until desired shade is reached: pastel 45 minutes, deep colours 90-120 minutes.
7) Remove fabric from dye bath and rinse under cool water until water runs clear. Soak item in warm water with detergent for 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly

Handpainting Dyes

1) Add 1 part dye to 4 parts Dye Diluent and apply with brush or airbrush.
2) Allow item to dry for at least 24 hours before heatsetting by one of the methods listed below.
3) 24 hours after heatsetting, rinse off loose colours in cool running water until water runs clear. Soak item in warm water with detergent for 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly

Screenprinting with Dyes

1) Add 1 part dye to 6 parts Dye Painting Medium and apply dye.
2) Allow item to dry for 24 hours before heatsetting by one of the methods listed below.
3) 24 hours after heatsetting, rinse off loose dye colour in cool running water until water runs clear. Soak item in warm water with detergent for 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly

WOOL: Instructions for wool are in the instruction booklet. Use guar gum to thicken the dye fixative mixture. Use vinegar or citric acid as the fixative. Fleece and yarn can be easily dyed using oven bags in a microwave.

Contact me <class@judybourke.com> to arrange a workshop.

Heatsetting Methods

Steam Setting:
1) Wrap the fabric in butchers paper, roll and tie or tape up with masking tape.
2) Place on stainless steel, galvanized, wooden, or porcelain rack in steamer with sufficient water to cover bottom without touching the material being steamed.
3) Put paper, thick towel or cheesecloth around the inside of the lid to absorb moisture and protect water drops.
4) Steam set. 10 minutes for cotton and 20 minutes for silk. ONLY
5) Remove fabric from steamer and unwrap immediately.

Baking:
Bake for 10 minutes at 140°C (285F) in oven. Place dish of water in oven for moisture.

Microwave:
Place in microwave oven with a dish of water for 5 minutes.

Tumble Dry:
Place in dryer for 60 minutes or longer at highest setting.

Wool:
You can either simmer the wool in a pot over heat until the desired colour is reached or use the microwave. The instruction booklet has more detailed instructions. Contact me <class@judybourke.com> to arrange a workshop.

Rinsing Out
Follow rinsing suggestions for tie dyeing and immersion dyeing above. For wool and silk warm water is recommended.

NOTE: Use a suitable Detergent or you may find that too much colour washes out. Most household detergents are not recommended. CREATEX Detergent is recommended. It is a concentrated liquid, has no perfumes, bleach or whiteners.

WE STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT APPROPRIATE TESTS ARE DONE FIRST

Contact me <colours@judybourke.com> if you have any queries or would like to book a workshop.

Fibre Reactive Dye Additives & Mediums

Dye Painting Medium- available in 480ml
A thickened medium used for hand painting or screenprinting dyes. Controls flow on fabric and when painting hard edges

Dye Diluent- available in 480ml, 960ml
A thin medium used for creating colour washes with a brush, pen, or airbrush. Also used for thinning Dye Painting Medium.

Soda Ash (Sodium Carbonate) available in 500gms (alkali)
A strong dye fixative used for making dyes permanent on natural fibres.

Sequestrant- available in 480ml size
Water softener for hard water areas. Promotes even saturation of colours when hand painting. Greatly increases colour value. Use 1 tablespoon to 1 litre of water.

Aquafine Resist (gutta) available in 240mls size
A water-based clear resist that prevents dyes from colouring some areas. Allow to dry completely before painting dyes alongside resist. Apply by brush, squeeze bottle, or printing tools. Washes off in hot water after dyes are set. Apply resist to both sides of fabric if it doesn't penetrate the cloth completely

Sodium alginate: thickener used to control the flow of dye diluent when using soda ash as the fixative.

Guar Gum: is the thickener used when citric acid or vinegar is the fixative.

Urea: a wetting agent used when mixing dye diluent. Helps the dye to fix when painting.

Detergent- available in 480mls size (concentrated, liquid, not perfumed)
Used for pre-washing fabrics and washing off loose colour after dyes have been heatset. This detergent is strongly recommended. Use 30mls. per 8 litres of water.

The MAGIC FLUID ……………..

COLD WATER WAX solution is a non-toxic emulsion used as a resist on fabric and paper. It is removed with hot water. Cold water wax may be used as a very durable stencil for screen printing. This wax is very popular. I draw with it onto silk, paper and any fabric I use it on the screen as a stencil. Contact me <colours@judybourke.com> for more suggestions.

Dye instruction booklet is available and is strongly recommended, especially for those new to dyeing or new to fibre reactive dyes. You may like to read this before ordering dyes.

Spray Bottle - 120ml
These bottles are very useful as a hand pump airbrush for the dyes. Run clean water through the spray bottle after each use. An easy way to store and apply dyes.

Glass dropper bottles for the dispensing of dyes. As the dyes are concentrated I find it practical to decant the dyes into dropper bottles for easy access especially when hand painting.

500ml/250ml HDPE bottles are suitable to store dye diluent and dye painting medium that you make yourself.

You can order supplies from this website. Check the prices and colour charts prior to completing the fax order form or contact me <colours@judybourke.com>.

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