Name: Shanelle

Country: Australia

Message: Do you know where in Australia I can buy tie dying dye - not Rit etc.?  Thanks. 

Yes. Scroll down to the 'Australia' section of my page "Sources for Dyeing Supplies Around the World".

The best dyes for tie-dyeing cotton and other natural fibers are the fiber reactive dyes, such as Procion MX dye or Drimarene K dye. As you already know, all-purpose dyes such as Rit are far less suitable for tie-dyeing.

You may be able to find a tie-dyeing kit in a local crafts store, or sometimes even in a large discount department store. The Jacquard tie-dyeing kit contains Procion MX dye, while the Dylon tie-dyeing kit most likely contains Drimarene K dyes; both will produce brilliant and long-lasting results. The Rainbow Dyes brand tie-dyeing kit does not contain dyes at all, but instead fabric paints; these wear off more quickly, but require less water and thus are useful in areas of drought.

There are several dye suppliers in Australia that sell high quality dyes. The widest range of dyes and related products can be found at Kraftkolour in Melbourne, and at Batik Oetoro in Sidney. You can also buy Drimarene K dyes in Smithfield, near Sidney, from Silksational. If none of these is convenient for you, buy Procion MX or Drimarene K dyes by mail-order, using one of these sources or the mail-order-only company The Thread Studio. Most expert hand dyers buy their dyes by mail-order, for greater selection, better prices, and fresher dyes. You will also need to get soda ash or washing soda, to set the dye, and you'll probably want to use urea, as well, to keep the dyes moist while they react with the fiber (though you can wrap each piece in plastic for the same effect).

A few Australian dyers prefer to mail-order their dyes from Dharma Trading Company or PRO Chemical & Dye, in the US; this can be a surprisingly economical alternative, if you call and request the slowest and cheapest form of shipping, since their Procion MX dye prices are much lower, but I don't know what the customs fees may be.

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