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unknown fiber content (poly or nylon)

I am working with some lace of unknown fiber content; the seller could tell me only that it was polyester or nylon.

I had some Rit dye that I bought before I learned more about different types of dye, so I used some to dye swatches of the lace. I knew already that polyester wouldn't take dye, so if the dye worked, I must have nylon!

The lace fabrics did take the dye, but the color is quite light. I washed my swatches with Dharma PTD after dyeing. My question is, does polyester not retain the color at ALL, or does it barely take the color which then washes out after a few times thru the laundry?

I also dyed a pair of cotton pajamas in this dyebath. The pajamas' color turned out definitely darker than that of the lace. Does it sound like I have nylon? A poly-nylon blend? Or the dreaded POLYESTER?

I could post some pics if that would help. . . not just now, but later I could take some.

(Just FYI, I do plan to use a more appropriate dye when I do the full yardage. . . this was just a test.)

Thanks!
Jules

By giulietta1 at 2008-10-15 12:56 | Synthetic Fibers | login or register to post comments | previous forum topic | next forum topic

poly versus nylon

There might be some dyes in some of the Rit dye mixtures that will stain polyester for a few washings. I think you need to do another test.

Can you snip off a bit of material to do a burn test? Nylon and polyester burn differently, and they produce different smells as they burn. One smells sweet and the other like celery. The bead left after you extinguish the flame is different, too. Check out these two sites:

Rit dye will work better on nylon if you simmer the nylon in the dye with some vinegar or another acid, say 6 tablespoons of white vinegar per gallon of water, since it's only the acid dye in the Rit dye mixture that will color nylon.

-Paula

By pburch at Wed, 2008-10-15 14:36 | login or register to post comments

burn chart

Thank you so much for pointing me to these references! I knew there was such a thing as a burn test, and I believe I have some reference at home (somewhere!), but the chart is very handy! Can't wait to try it!

Thx,
Jules

By giulietta1 at Wed, 2008-10-15 15:01 | login or register to post comments

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