bek bek timson: October 2010

Photographer: Songy from stylediscovery.com.au

Model: Georgia from Chadwicks

I recently had a collection in Perth's Fashion Festival - A Touch of Wool III fashion show.

We received the wool in the natural tone. Not wanting to use this colour meant that I would need to dye the fabric. I chose Acid Milling Dyes because it is great for dyeing wool.

Model: Mikka Hendrawidjaja from Catherine Ruze Agency

MUA's: Cindy Sutton & Lisa Mullen

Hair: Sarah Williamson, Lime Fusion

The little purple dress above was knitted via the amazing Shima Seiki (digital whole garment knitting machine) housed at the Department of Agriculture and Food WA, it uses such thin yarn and was knitted using WA superfine wool. The dyeing qualities were fabulous. The following instructions were used to dye this dress.

How to dye wool-
(Please note that all safety precautions need to be followed. Protective gear including - eye wear, gloves, masks, toe covered leather shoes, apron etc. Always, follow instructions from your supplier and use a well ventilated area.)

What you need-

1. Safety gear

2. 3 x 1 cup glass cups
3. Large Pot
4. Stirring spoon
5. Dye solution
6. White Vinegar

7. Table Salt

8. Water

Directions-

1. Fill 2 of the 3 glass cups with approx 1 cup of water each. This is because the dyes and chemicals need to be in liquid form. In the first glass of water add 1tsp of dye and stir (if you want a deeper colour just add more). Place 3tbsp of salt into the second glass of water and stir. Fill the last glass with white vinegar approx 100ml.

2. Put in approx 3L water into the large pot. The ratio for liquid is 30:1 so 30ml of liquid is needed for every gram of fabric weight. (however if you are dyeing light weight or small amounts the ratio may jump up to 50:1. Rule of thumb- if in doubt just use as much water as it takes to fully immerse the garment or fabric in).

3. Add the first glass of water with the dye solution in it to the large pot of water and stir.

4.Wet your wool with water, make sure that it is completely wet then add it to the dye bath and stir.

5. Put the dye bath over a low heat and gradually heat to simmering. This may take some time but be patient and don't let it boil. Also, stir regularly. This is to stop uneven dyeing.

6. Carefully, remove material and add the cup of vinegar and the second glass with the salt solution in it into the dye bath. Replace the material and stir, stir, stir.

7. Simmer until the dye bath is exhausted. This just means that the fabric has absorbed all the dye and the water is clear.

8. Rinse well... (I added a nice smelling fabric softener to the rinsing process to get rid of the vinegar smell).

Let your material dry and repeat the process if you want a deeper colour. This dress didn't need any more dyeing. The colour was perfect.