Thread: Just a bit of dyeing

I got a very nice big Banjara skirt. It different from the usual mirror-top skirts (which is why I got it), but it has some weaknesses in the colors, including a botton piece that has faded in a way that doesn't appeal to me. I'd like to color-correct that a bit, but without washing the whole piece: It's big, it's heavy, and chances are that I will get a good bit of unwanted color-run when I put that thing into water. I experience tub-dyeing things, but have never done anything else.

Has anybody recommendations for paint-on fabric dyes that don't need to be washed out? I think low-heat ironing will be OK. The result won't go into the machine and does not have to be super-colorfast.

Dharma Fiber Reactive Procion Dyes

I would recommend these. You need to soak the fabric in a bath of soda ash (available from that site) first. The Procion dyes can be put into applicator squeeze bottles and applied directly onto the fabric. There are some good tutorials on that site, too, about direct-application dyeing.

Thanks! I love the fiber reactive dyes (no Rit in my house!) - but soaking this skirt in soda ash is not all that practical, sadly. In my experience, these old Indian textiles are just a pain when it comes to washing or soaking. I wash my old cholis under a cold shower and then stuff them with towels to keep color runs and bleeding minimal.

I am afraid, I will need something that's paint-on, leave-in for this skirt. Sigh, the trouble of having an addiction for old textiles ...

Yeah... that makes sense. Maybe there are some dyes on that site that can be applied without using soda ash? I hadn't explored the others really.

I think you should try Dye-na-Flow. It's a paint that acts like a dye and it's set by ironing.
Dye-Na-Flow Silk Paint

It's called "silk paint" but works on most natural fabrics.

Let us know what happens!

I personally did not like dyna flow but am picky about a lot of things lol. Steffi let me take a look at what i have here, I bought some paints and things that I ended up using maybe once..I'll go to the office in a bit and see what's there

seem to remember i may have some of the serta colors too

but i'm not a good coach on how to use them..i went back to using procion fiber dyes..mixed with soda ash and applied with a paint brush they work great. will try to post a lava painting on silk just dried using soda ash and procion fibers