thickener, how muchj

[lwemmer]

I'm new to tie-dye and getting frustrated that I end up with too much white on my shirts or when I try to dye more heavily, the colors run together too much and get muddy. I've started using some thickener but I haven't figured out how much is just the right amount.

On my latest shirts, I first added rubbing alcohol to some sodium alginate (I got that hint possibly from fiber-arts forum last year or maybe from Paula, I can't remember) and then dissolved that concoction in water and the dissolved dye. I probably added about a heaping teaspoon but it didn't seem to be enough to make a difference on my spirals.

How much do you dyers add to achieve your beautiful rainbow spirals? I realize everybody probably has a different recipe, but any info. would help. I've actually ended up with a yorker bottle full of dye jelly before and don't wish to repeat that mistake, if I can help it.

Thanks so much. You guys are awesome! I've learned so much from you.

Lauren

[steve]

Here's how I do it. Look at the last recipe:

http://tie-dyewiki.com/wiki/tiki-index.php?page=chemical+water

Steve

[pburch]

Also, use metaphos (1 teaspoon per quart) to help reduce the chance of getting a gel. Calcium in hard water forms a gel with alginate. (ProChem's print paste already contains alginate.)

I usually do not use a thickener, but a thickener is important if you want to put opposite colors next to each other.

Here's everything I know about alginate:
Sodium alginate, Superclear, and other dye thickeners

Paula

[tiedyejudy]

Hi, Lauren.  First off, I use Superclear, not alginate, to thicken.  But it shouldn't matter which you use.  Most of the time, when I mix up 2 cups of dye, I usually put about 2-3 tablespoons of thickener in.  If I want it really thick, I add more.  One thing I do on my swirls to keep the colors from muddying up is to hold the shirt up at an angle when I apply each dye, and I start about the middle of the section I'm dyeing, then slowly advance the dye toward the outer edges of the section.  What I'm trying to do is not let the dye splash or surge too far.  By starting in the middle of the section (and I am speaking of a swirl that is banded into six different sections, one for each color of the rainbow) I am beginning to dampen the fabric with the dye, then allowing room for the dye to spread.  Once that area is dyed, I gradually move out toward the edges.  I start with the lightest color first, such as yellow, then orange, then red.  I overdye a little toward the lighter color to achieve secondary colors:  yellow, yellow orange, orange, orange red, red.
Then I go to the other side of yellow with my green and overdye some to the yellow, then turquoise to green, then purple to turquoise and purple to red.  Does that make sense?  Once I have finished the first side, I flip the shirt and repeat, sometimes using complementary colors for additional depth of color.  Lately, I have used golden yellow behind lemon yellow, jungle red behind medium orange, kelly green behind lime green, medium cerulean blue behind turquoise, and  navy blue behind purple. 
Give yourself some time to experiment and learn what works for you.  None of us who have been dyeing for awhile got it down the first time!  I've been at this for over 8 years now, and keep learning new twists and turns all the time!  That's what makes it so enjoyable!

Happy Dyeing!

Judy       

[lwemmer]

One thing I do on my swirls to keep the colors from muddying up is to hold the shirt up at an angle when I apply each dye, and I start about the middle of the section I'm dyeing, then slowly advance the dye toward the outer edges of the section.  What I'm trying to do is not let the dye splash or surge too far. 
Judy       

Do you hold the piece the entire time you are dyeing it? I am trying to envision this and figure out how you manage to keep finger prints off of it. I've been laying mine on a bed of newspaper covered by paper towels, but I really can't control where the dye goes if the surface is uneven.

Thanks for the great description-- that was really helpful. I'd love to take a class on this some time from someone like you.

Lauren

[tiedyejudy]

First off, I keep a bucket of clean water nearby, and frequently rinse my gloved hands in it to keep from leaving fingerprints on the piece I'm dyeing.  I usually prop up the piece with my left hand while I am applying the dye with my right.  The piece isn't totally upright, more like a 45 degree angle, and I lay it back on the paper towel when I am switching from one color to another.  I also rotate the piece AND THE TOWEL it is laying on, so that I don't back dye from the paper towel to the garment.   As for controling where the dye goes, the thickener helps.  One thing I do is dye, then when the dye has soaked in a little, I might add a little more over the same area.  I also try to poke the spout of the dye bottle into the folds very carefully, then squeeze gently to add a little more dye into the thick area.  It really is a matter of practice, experiment and sometimes even making note of what you are doing so you can review after you have rinsed out the garment to see if you like the results, then trying the same method again. 
I have a plan to try and videotape this process I have been trying to describe to you... some things are better said with pictures!  If so, Steve and I are going to try to make it accessible to the forum.  Not sure how yet, or how soon, but it's cooking in the back of our mind, so stay tuned!

Judy