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Dyeing Basket Reed using MX Dyes
PO Box 14 • Somerset, MA
02726
orders 1-800-2-BUY-DYE
technical support 508-676-3838
fax 508-676-3980
e-mail • mail@prochemical.com
www.prochemical.com
Dyeing Basket Reed
using PRO MX Reactive Dyes
Please read directions carefully before
starting.
Use PRO MX to dye basket reed. Directions are courtesy of Kari
Lonning. Always do test samples before working on a large project. For additional
information, visit our website at www.prochemical.com.
- Wear rubber gloves, apron or old clothes.
- Utensils used for dyeing should never be used for food preparation.
Supplies
PRO MX Reactive Dye
PRO Dye Activator or Soda Ash
Common Salt
Procedure
1.
Soak the reed in 1
gallon (4 liters) of room temperature 75oF to 95oF (24oC
to 35oC) water, using a plastic or enamel container for the dye bath. Reed
tends to float and should be weighted down. Use a clean brick, stone or water-filled and
sealed glass or plastic jars.
2. Dissolve the salt
from the chart below, in
one quart (1 liter) of HOT 120oFto 140oF(49oC to 60oC)
water. Add dissolved salt to the reed and stir well.
For 1 pound of basket reed:
| Water |
1 gallon, or
enough to cover the reed (4 liters) |
| Common Salt |
1 cup (299 gm) |
| PRO MX Reactive Dye
|
approximately
3 tsp (7.5 gm) |
| PRO Dye Activator or Soda Ash |
¾ cup (115
gm) |
3. Dissolve the dye.
Measure
the dye powder, from the chart above, in 1 cup (250 ml) of room temperature 75oF
to 95oF (24oC to 35oC) water. Thoroughly dissolve the dye
and add to the dye bath. At this point, check the color of your dye bath. Dip a strip of
white 100% cotton fabric into the bath. It's important to remember that wet fabric is
approximately 2 shades darker than the final dried reed. If necessary, adjust the color by
adding more dissolved dye and stir well.
4. Let the reed soak overnight
in
the dye bath. Check the color at this point by drying a short piece of the reed. If
desired, more dissolved dye can be added. If so, the reed needs to soak overnight again,
before continuing the dyeing process.
5. Fix the color.
Dissolve the PRO Dye
Activator or Soda Ash from the chart above, in 1 cup (250 ml) warm 100oF to 110oF
(38oC to 43oC) water. Add to the dye bath and stir well.
Allow the reed to soak overnight.
6. Pour off the dye bath
and rinse reed until
the water runs clear and air dry. The reed is now ready for weaving.
© Copyright 2002