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 It is possible to achieve excellent
levels of colour fastness when colouring the silk with
Acid dyes, making the dyed
silk
fabric ideal for clothes,
linings, and wall hangings. This silk scarf was
painted by Katherine Barney using the Dupont Steam-Fix
Acid dyes. A similar technique can be used on fine wool
and fabric.
The silk
fabric also retains its unique properties of lustre, softness and
handle when printed or painted with Acid dyes and although silk paints offer a reasonable alternative, the
acrylic binder in the paint tends to leave the silk fabric
feeling stiff once heat set.
Other types of Acid dyes will offer
further opportunities for design. Acid Discharge
dyes can be removed from fabric using a discharge paste.
The discharge paste can be loaded with an Acid
Illuminating dye which in turn replaces the colour which
has been discharge. Find out more about
Discharge
Printing with Acid Dyes.
Before printing, dyeing or painting with these dyes, it is important to check whether the material
is 'Prepared for Dyeing' (PFD) or requires scouring to remove
any grease, oil or starch. The dye will be less effective on
soiled fabric, reducing the brightness and depth of
colour. Run a few droplets of cold water
onto the fabric. If they soak in quickly, no scour is necessary.
To remove starches, size and oils, add 5ml of Synthrapol
(a non-ionic detergent) along with 2-3 litres of water for
each 100g of material. Stir gently over a 15 minute period,
and then rinse thoroughly in warm water. It is possible to
use household detergent, but the alkaline residue may affect
the final colour or wash fastness.
Recipe for Printing Paste using Acid dyes
20-40g
Acid dye
100g
Urea
340ml boiling water. Use 2g
Calgon when using water from a hard water area as this
eliminates the effects of calcium and magnesium salts which
make colours weaker and duller.
20g Fibrecrafts Wetting Agent
50g
Manutex RS
20g Acid Salt (Ammonium Sulphate). Note: Excessive heat during
drying stage prior to steaming can cause yellowing.
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Make the Acid dye and Urea into a paste and
then add 300ml boiling water. Stir until the dye is fully
dissolved.
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Allow the solution to cool until tepid.
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Make up the 10% stock
paste by sprinkling 50g of Manutex RS into 500ml of cold water.
Stir and leave to stand for at least 30 minutes.
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Add the dye and Urea
solution to the Manutex RS solution and stir rapidly.
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Dissolve 20g Acid Salt
(Ammonium Sulphate) in 40ml warm water and add to the
dye/printing paste mix, followed by
the Fibrecrafts Wetting Agent and stir rapidly to reduce the
print paste.
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The solution is now ready to
print or paint. Remember these dyes are very reactive
and the paste must be used very quickly.
Fixing the Print
Once dry,
steam-set the print for 30-45 minutes.
The Final Process
Make up a solution of 1/2
teaspoon of
synthrapol with 5 litres of cold water and wash the
fabric for 2 minutes. Rinse briefly in cold water.
Safety
There is no substantiated evidence of a causal link between
exposure to Procion MX dyes and any chronic or fatal illnesses.
Both the acid and fibre reactive dye families have a considerable
track record, of use in industry in considerable quantities
and in a less well controlled environment in the crafts
Sensible precautions should be taken
when handling dyes and chemicals, particularly as powders:
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Avoid inhaling dusts, they can produce an asthma type
reaction. People with known respiratory problems should
not handle synthetic dyes, and particularly the fibre reactive
dyes, in powder form. A dust mask should be worn when working
with the powders or exposed to an aerosol from spraying
dye solutions made up in water
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Avoid splashing solutions into the eyes, swallowing the
materials or prolonged skin contact. A simple 'non-contact'
approach (most people use gloves to avoid dyeing themselves)
plus normal, good, hygiene is sufficient precautions for
the occasional user
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Store in clearly labeled containers well away from children,
pets and foodstuffs. Treat dye powders and solutions with
the same caution as domestic poisons (eg strong cleaners,
bleaches or medicines)
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Dispose of spent solutions containing residues of the
dyes responsibly. Dilute and pour onto waste land or into
the sewage system. They have no known effect on the environment
when used in the quantities recommended in the literature.
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