Surfaces

[steve]

What do you all use as a surface for dyeing your fabric?

For shirts, I take stacks of newspapers, open them fully, and stack, them in a thick pile of wide open newpaper.

When I flip the garment to dye the other side I sometimes fold over the soaked newsprint in half, then put the shirt back on the newsprint and continue.  

On completion, I fold the newspaper over the garment, then plastic wrap it

Repeat--working down the layers of newspaper.

I am a bit fussier with tapestries.

Steve

[tiedyejudy]

My main dyeing table is covered in heavy black plastic, which allows me to wipe it down.  I place layers of paper towels on the plastic, then the item to be dyed.  When I flip the item, I usually replace the towels.  I also dye on top of my washing machine when the weather is too cold for the garage.  Again, I use layers of paper towels, then replace when I flip.  I find it easy to wipe up excess dye from the washer.  I have tried the newspapers, but was never comfortable with flipping the item and using the same newspaper.  My local newspaper is usually pretty small, so it would take a lot of saving to amass enough to make it worthwhile.

Judy

[LiveFreeorDye]

I have four plastic trays about 3'x3' made for photo chemicals that I got from a client who does silkscreen when he eliminated his camera process. Onto this tray I put a black plastic flat made to carry plants at a nursery. This isn't a solid tray, but looks like a plastic basket. I turn it upside down and dye on top of it. Extra dye drips through onto the tray, which I either hose down or wipe out with a sponge depending on the weather outside. Sometimes, if I am working on a larger piece, I put two of the nursery trays next to each other.

When I'm done, I wrap in newspaper, put in plastic bags, and stack the pieces into a black plastic tub made for cement work. Then, if its winter, I put it by the woodstove, and if its summer, I put it in the greenhouse.

I was worried about whether it would be a problem to wrap a garment in newspaper that wasn't dyed with activated dye, but I tried it, and it was just fine.

take it easy
Sue

[Dancing Barefoot]

I have a table where I sit to dye, and one I mix dye on, so I can keep my setup almost all the time.

I have some metal grid pieces (the ones you can attach together to make shelves for your dorm) about 14" square. I attach two of them together for larger pieces or use them singly for smaller ones.

I put a couple of layers of paper or even a towel underneath, one metal grid on top of four or six small black dye jars, or yogurt cups, and use another grid for each item I dye (I usually dye one piece at a time). The grid allows room for the excess dye to fall through, and the squares are wide enough so that when you flip the piece over there's hardly any backstaining

[pburch]

I like to use a table whose top is made of 1/4" wire hardware cloth:


The grid allows excess dye to drip through, instead of puddling as it would on window screen.

(I can't figure out why the picture of my work table doesn't show up above. Try clicking here to see it: http://www.pburch.net/images_visible/1.jpg )

Paula

[LiveFreeorDye]

(I can't figure out why the picture of my work table doesn't show up above. Try clicking here to see it: http://www.pburch.net/images_visible/1.jpg )

Doesn't work, Paula. I get a message that I am forbidden from the server. This probably has something to do with why the picture doesn't show on the forum as well.

Take it easy
Sue

[mysticmountainsmama]

I saw Paula's table. What a grate idea  I have been using some super thin plastic I was given free or garbage bags to cover the work space. My studio is a funky old mobile home that we use for storage. I have a real kitchen so I use the counters and I've covered the stovetop with a table (legs fold up). No surface is level so the excess die runs on to the floor alot. I've been using paper towel to keep the excess from getting on the next item.....BUT now that I've seen The Art of Tie Dye DVD things are going to change!!! I want to get a small 'milk crate' for my sink this weekend and an under-counter plastic wrap dispenser...this could be way better
Can I do the tie-ups on my freezer without hurting the paint? I usually tie things dry in the house and get to the studio for limited amounts of time (I just soak, mix dyes and dye there) but I'd like to do some tie-ing of wet stuff, the soda ash is caustic right

[ecilA]

For outside dyeing, we have some bread racks.  Old display racks, dye, rinse, dye generally (less rinsing if it's not an issue).  I use a rack for inside dyeing too.

(started off covering the table and wiping, tried newspaper, rack does it for me)

[mustdye]

I have an old double wash tub that I dye over. I laid bars from a window (I live in an old store) over the top.
I lay down towels that I bought at goodwill to soak up excess dye and placed a board over the other side for a tabletop.





Here's the old ringer that I use for the soak. I removed the agitator for more room.
They go through the ringer and then into the washer for a spin.