I have a problem with clumping in my turquoise and fuschia procion dyes. Any tips to keep this from happening?

—ADVERTISEMENTS—

Procion MX Dye

cool water dyes
are ideal for batik

When mixed with soda ash, Procion dyes are permanent, colorfast, and very washable. You can easily create a palette of brilliant colors ranging from light pastels to deep, vibrant hues.

Joan Bentley:
I have a problem with clumping in my turquoise and fuschia procion dyes. I mix up my dye and use squirt bottles to apply. Any tips to keep this from happening?


All About Hand Dyeing: First, make sure your dye is reasonably fresh. Sometimes dye powder goes bad and becomes clumpier, and some sources may (sometimes) sell clumpier dye powders than others. If your dye powder is defective, from a bad batch, you can usually return it for replacement, but only if you do so within thirty days of purchase, so try to remember to test your dyes when you get them.

Next, use room-temperature water to dissolve your dye, and make sure to allow plenty of time, stirring occasionally, for the dye to really dissolve. It helps if you start by pasting up the dye in just a few teaspoons of water, before adding the rest of the water you're dissolving the dye in.

Finally, filter your dissolved dye through the foot of a nylon stocking to remove any impossible clumps. A coffee filter works, too, but takes a lot longer.

Follow this blog on twitter here.
Tweet