You Will Need
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- Microwave
- Microwave Dish
- Saran Wrap
- Silk piece of material or scarf
- Acid Dye – Pebeo Soie or other.
- String and/or rubber bands
- Latex Gloves
- Vinegar
- Plastic Tub or bin to presoak your piece in the vinegar
- Paint Brush
- Isopropyl Alcohol – 70%
- Distilled Water
- Old Towel
- Iron
- Ironing Board
- Plastic Container(s) to mix dye in
- Paper Towels
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- Project Budget
- Reasonably Priced
Here is a super easy way to dye silk using your microwave at home! My Daughter Sara will demonstrate:
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Mix your colors using the Acid Dyes. These dyes come very concentrated so you can dilute them and mix them together to make nifty colors by using the dilutant solution of the Alcohol and the Distilled Water. Mix 2/3rds of a cup Isopropyl Alchohol (70%) with 1/3rd cup of Distilled water to make the solution. This will keep your dyes from streaking too much.
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Apply your color. There are many ways to do this and you can use a brush to paint it on or just pour it on wherever you want it. Sometimes you can get vague patterns that you can brush on. You won’t get much detail and make sure your colors are contrasted enough for this or they will just meld into each other and you won’t see the pattern. You can also use elastic bands or string to do a tie dye type design.
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You can stop here or add some more design elements. I will show you how to add some basic shapes to make your scarf more interesting. Place the scarf back into the vinegar solution and squeeze out excess as before and then lay out your scarf (I usually fold mine in half to make it easier) on a sheet of wax paper on a counter or other clean washable surface. Dye will get on your counter top but this easily washes off with the help of a household cleaner containing bleach.
Then using a very dark color or at least one that contrasts well with the other colors paint on some basic shapes.
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michelle a.
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Nerwen-chan Mon, 12 Apr 2010 22:23:41 +0000
Beautiful!!! Thanks for posting this up!!!
Chelsea H Fri, 11 Sep 2009 23:42:59 +0000
Thats amazing!! Ive gotta try this!!!!
Donna R. Wed, 25 Mar 2009 23:28:30 +0000
Great. I am going to get my supplies and have some fun! Now I am excited. Thanks!!!
Donna Rae
Katherine Munro Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:01:06 +0000
Hi Donna,
Oh yes, you can do cotton or any natural fiber. Just use Fiber Reactive Dyes instead of the Acid Dyes. Acid Dyes only work on Silk and Wool whereas Fiber Reactive Dyes or Procion MX Dyes work on Cotton, Silk, Rayon (especially bright!), and almost any other natural fiber even wood!
Have fun and you can get Procion MX Dyes at Dharmatrading.com.
Good luck!
Donna R. Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:53:19 +0000
This is great. You think can do cotton the same way? That would be awesome if it is possible.
Donna Rae