Newbie! Q about Soda Ash 'burns' and constrast

[Muddypaws]

I just did my first dyeing with Procion dyes and WOW I can't believe the difference from all those years trying to do it at camp with kids and RIT!

I noticed that when I soaked my items (all cotton from dharma) in the soda ash many of them came out with yellowed 'burns' on them.  I followed the mixing water/chemical ratio and didn't leave them in very long at all (first ones were about 30 min. and later ones about 5 and they still did this). It didn't matter in that it didn't show once dyed, but obviously it shouldn't do this! Help?

Secondly, I didn't get much white/contrast on things... maybe I am not supposed to on these spirals, but I would have liked sharper edges than I got ~ tighter bands? Less dye where the colours meet?
The smaller shirt --little contrast/ not sharp...


The bigger shirt ~ more contrast, but still lost some colours...


Thanks! Feedback welcome on the shirts!

L

[pburch]

Soda ash does not burn cotton. Did you prewash the shirts? I'll bet that whatever yellow stains you saw after soaking in soda ash would have washed right out. If it's temporary, it does not matter.

I prefer to have colors run together like that, but to prevent it, try a combination of tying more tightly and adding a little alginate as a thickener to your dye.

Paula

[mustdye]

No idea on the "burning"... I've had items soak for days.

I think you spirals turned out nice. As far as your crispness...How moist were the shirts when you dyed them ?
I don't dye my shirts dry but I do spin the heck out of them with the washer.

[Muddypaws]

Hmmm, the shirts were pre-washed Oh well, it doesn't matter in the end product, just wanted to be sure I wasn't doing soemthing wonky!

I will try having the shirts be a little less wet next time (they were squeezed out and sat for a while, but still pretty wet. Thanks for the input!

[steve]

I will try having the shirts be a little less wet next time (they were squeezed out and sat for a while, but still pretty wet. Thanks for the input!

Less wet will make a big difference. I dye mine bone dry.

Steve

[Muddypaws]

I spun them this time... results yet to be seen, but what a big difference in how fast the dye moved!  Much more control when nearly dry

L