Thread: Steam fix techniques for dye

I just restocked my silk paints and accidentally bought steam fix rather than iron fix .w.: Anyway I thought I might as well give them a go for now.

I have a pressure cooker so I could fix with that, and I have instructions for that, but I also keep hearing stuff about a microwave method for steam fixing. I can't find any info on this, anyone here know about it?

Also any recommendations for cheap absorbent paper for the steam fixing process?

I built a homemade steamer for my projects but my friend Nina does hers in the microwave. I'd have to ask her how. Go to your local newspaper and ask if they have any roll ends of newsprint. They will usually give them to you free or sell them to you cheap. They are perfect for this kind of stuff.

Here is a tutorial that might help you, I hope:
Bellydance: Experiences: Tutorial: Dyeing Silk Bellydance Veils in the Microwave

You can use the microwave. Roll the silk up in paper and then coil it up like a snake inside a microwave proof dish or bowl (I have used a dishpan in the microwave) and put it in the microwave. A couple of minutes should do it. THen let it cool and proceed.

don't put wet towels in the microwave- they like to catch on fire =(

Thanks guys. I ended up using my old pressure cooker on some trial pieces and they turned out great. Seems like I'm silk-painting again, WOOT!

FUN :) what kind of iron set paints do you use? I'm fixing to try to sell some partially used dyna flow paints I just wasnt happy with them

I've never tried the microwave..does it burn the silk or make it papery?

my instructor also teaches that you can use an old canning pot to make a steamer, or a rice steamer,

if you google paula burch's dye forum there is a wealth of info there:)

Actually my 2 test pieces came out so well, I think I might stick to steaming! I can't remember the brand I used to use, I chucked the bottles because they went dodgy and replaced the lot. I am using some german brand called Silkolor, I like the way they go on, they fixed easily and the silk looks and feels great. The colours are nice too, I might buy a trial pack of their metallic shades and see how they look - I've never done metallics before but I have an idea in my brain that needs letting out.
The pressure cooker worked really well, I turned the little pot inside it upside down, so there was a good 3" clearance from the water, and wrapped my silks in untreated muslin, and newspaper in a little parcel. The seal has gone on the pressure cooker, so it doesn't go up to pressure, but it got very hot in the half hour I had it running for, and the paint isn't going anywhere.

Originally Posted by jenlindseys

don't put wet towels in the microwave- they like to catch on fire =(

Not as fast as dry ones will!

Originally Posted by Kash13

Actually my 2 test pieces came out so well, I think I might stick to steaming! I can't remember the brand I used to use, I chucked the bottles because they went dodgy and replaced the lot. I am using some german brand called Silkolor, I like the way they go on, they fixed easily and the silk looks and feels great. The colours are nice too, I might buy a trial pack of their metallic shades and see how they look - I've never done metallics before but I have an idea in my brain that needs letting out.
The pressure cooker worked really well, I turned the little pot inside it upside down, so there was a good 3" clearance from the water, and wrapped my silks in untreated muslin, and newspaper in a little parcel. The seal has gone on the pressure cooker, so it doesn't go up to pressure, but it got very hot in the half hour I had it running for, and the paint isn't going anywhere.

How much silk did you steam? A whole three yard veil?

I've never pursued an actual steamer, because I have no place to stretch out veils and directly apply paints or dyes to them. But I'm considering one for shibori work.

Originally Posted by jesennia

I've never tried the microwave..does it burn the silk or make it papery?

I have never burned, scorched, or set fire to silk in the microwave. This suggests that it is not all that easy to set fire to wet fabric in a microwave, because I have set fire to lots of other things in the kitchen (hot pads, dish towels, toasters, etc).

I usually put the silk in a plastic dishpan, apply the dye (acid dyes), and zap it for 2 minutes. It sets very deep/bright colors.

Originally Posted by tigerb

How much silk did you steam? A whole three yard veil?

I've never pursued an actual steamer, because I have no place to stretch out veils and directly apply paints or dyes to them. But I'm considering one for shibori work.

This time I did 2 scarves of about 1 by 3 feet each. I do recon I would have space for a 3 yard veil though, the silk is very light and doesn't take up much space, I think the limiting factor is the muslin.

I made my own frames from lengths of wood from the DIY store, drilled holes at regular intervals and bolt them together. I have 2 3 yard lengths, 4 1.5 yard lenths and 2 1/2 yards, so I can make long scarves, square scarves and 3 yard veils. They all unbolt so I can store them in the shed as lengths of wood.The only space I have for the 3 yard setup is in the garden though, so I can only paint on sunny days! Today looks good though, so I am going to mess around with some salt techniques and poppies.