Thread: black silk veils?

does anyone know where I could find about 10 BLACK 1/2 circle silk veils ??

IF you have

1. an old non-aluminum stockpot
2. lots of time

...I recommend buying 1/2 circles from Dharma Trading and a big jar of Jacquard's black acid dye. And some vinegar. And a big cheap spoon. And doing it yourself... it will be a lot cheaper!

I'm with Tigerb. I dyed what used to be a yellow and gray (it was gorgeous) watercolor veil that got ruined by a calligraphy pen that was in my humongous purse at the time too. I simmered the veil in black Rit dye bath with salt for about 45 minutes. When I brought it out in class yesterday my teacher said 'Ooooo...it looks like smoke!'

Yeah, big old stock pot and acid dye. And don't forget to wear plastic gloves ;-)

I know I know.... but IF I wanted to buy them already black - where do I go??

Moondance, Bellydance

One of my students was talking about dying silk in a plastic bag in the microwave! She got the directions from Dharma's site.

Originally Posted by bintbeled

One of my students was talking about dying silk in a plastic bag in the microwave! She got the directions from Dharma's site.

It's nigh impossible to get a smooth solid color in the microwave. Just so's you know.

Let me know. I have a great silk guy down town who sells silk by the yard. I have a black silk veil which I got off the bolt for about 20. If you can cut and roll hem, I'm willing to go visit for you.

{{HUGS}}}

Tahira has a good point. If you wanted to cut and hem your own 1/2 circle veils, you want 45" wide (for semi-ovals) or 55" wide (semi-circle) black silk in at least 8mm weight. That's 30 yards of silk for 10 veils. 3 11-yard bolts of 45" wide black habotai from Dharma will cost you $137, so $13.70 per veil (plus tax and shipping), but you have to do a bunch of sewing!

Black Silk Habotai 8mm 45"

Good luck! Dying to know what the dance will be like!

Originally Posted by steffib

Moondance, Bellydance

Nothing the matter with those, but good to notice they are only 72" long, 2.5 yards. Some dancers find that length a little difficult to dance with.

Originally Posted by tigerb

IF you have

1. an old non-aluminum stockpot
2. lots of time

...I recommend buying 1/2 circles from Dharma Trading and a big jar of Jacquard's black acid dye. And some vinegar. And a big cheap spoon. And doing it yourself... it will be a lot cheaper!

Totally, off topic, but what's supposed to happen if you use aluminum with the dyes? I have been using Jacquard acid dyes in an old aluminum pot for about 13 years (same pot). The pot still looks the same, nothing has exploded, the colors are always deep and vibrant.

I just googled it and only found some vague references to the aluminum reacting with the dyes and "interfering" but I've never experienced anything like that. One site mentioned aluminum reacting with acids, but the Jacquard instructions claim that the only acid is the small amt of vinegar added (they also recommend using a stainless steel or enamel pot, but do not explain why).

Silk circle skirts in beautiful colors and blends.


A whole lot of solid colors available in 3 yards x 54 inches. She doesn't seem to have black half-circles online right now but she usually carries them, just ask.

She uses 4.5/5 mm silk though, quite light.

Originally Posted by ssipes

Totally, off topic, but what's supposed to happen if you use aluminum with the dyes? I have been using Jacquard acid dyes in an old aluminum pot for about 13 years (same pot). The pot still looks the same, nothing has exploded, the colors are always deep and vibrant.

I just googled it and only found some vague references to the aluminum reacting with the dyes and "interfering" but I've never experienced anything like that. One site mentioned aluminum reacting with acids, but the Jacquard instructions claim that the only acid is the small amt of vinegar added (they also recommend using a stainless steel or enamel pot, but do not explain why).

Aluminum does react with the dyes and can change your results- just like copper can. If you started dying with a new pot, you might get different results- your aluminum may get a little pitted over time too. But if you like the results you are getting, there's nothing wrong with that (at least as it's been explained to me) It's more a consistent result issue (our colors will always be the same if you follow this procedure kind of deal.)

& Dharma trading also has black silk by the yard if you are up for cutting your own- heck I don't even hem most of my veils, rectangular or half circle. I hate dying black- I just haven't had time to experiment enough to get consistent results with black from any brand, so I don't mess with it for now. Grey, yes. black, no.

My veil turned out as black as it could possibly get without doubling up on the dye. Usually I use Dilon's as the colors seem more saturated but Rit was what I had on hand. I pretty much doubled the dye bath time and kept stirring it around, untangling it and dunking it again. Once I figured the veil could't hold any more dye I let it sit and cool in the dye bath for about an hour before I rinsed it. As much as I love the resulting veil it was a mess so prefer to buy them in the colors I need. That being said, this was a rescue mission!

Here is the link to my usual veil lady: she does beautiful work and uses several weights of silk. She even does custom!

Custom hand dyed silk veils for belly dancing - Ladysilk Designs, belly dancing scarves