Dyeing cotton

Dyeing an old, faded cotton T-shirt can breathe new life into the garment. According to an article on Paula E. Burch's website, a fiber reactive dye is the best option for dying cellulose-based fabrics such as cotton. Fiber reactive dyes provide a much more vibrant color cast than all-purpose dyes, and tend to resist fading for a much longer period of time. These dyes are also simpler to use, especially for those new to dyeing. With an appropriately sized dyeing tub and some household materials, your drab cotton fabric will be colorful in no tim

·1

Determine how much fabric you will be dyeing, as this dictates the size of your dyeing tank and the amount of supplies required. To standardize the process, the steps below will describe how to dye 1 lb. of dry cotton fabric. Most containers of dye will offer proportions for both smaller and larger loads.

·  2

Pre-wash your cotton fabric to remove residue, dirt and other material which may hamper the dyeing process. Use mild laundry detergent and wash according to the care instructions on the fabric's tag.

·  3

Add 1 tbsp. of fiber reactive dye to a cup. Trickle a small amount of warm water into the cup and mix with a plastic spoon until a paste-like consistency is achieved.

·  4

Fill your dyeing tub with 3 gallons of warm water. If you do not have access to a tub of this size, a washing machine's basin will suffice. Empty the dye into the tub and stir until completely dissolved.

·  5

Measure out 3 cups of non-iodized salt and add it to the tub. Stir until the salt is completely dissolved.

·  6

Place your fabric into the dyeing tub and fully submerge it. Stir the fabric gently at five-minute intervals for 20 minutes. If you are using a washing machine basin as your tub, set the machine's cycle to "Agitate." Keep a watchful eye on the basin to prevent the dye from draining out of the machine.

·  7

Dissolve 1/3 cup of soda ash with warm water and pour it slowly into the dyeing tub as you stir the fabric. For even results, add the soda ash over a 15-minute period and avoid pouring directly onto the fabric.

·  8

Continue stirring, or agitating, the cotton fabric at five-minute intervals for another 30 minutes. For a deeper hue, allow the fabric to dye for a full hour.

·  9

Empty the tub of dye once the desired hue is achieved. Rinse the fabric with cool running water until it runs clear, or put the fabric through several "Rinse" cycles if you are using a washing machine basin.

·  10

Set the dye by washing the cotton fabric as you normally would.