A few newbie disasters; is there any saving these?

[Rebekah]

So, I'm pretty new, and I've had a few pieces that really didn't turn out the way that I pictured.  Is there any hope for them?  How might I fix them?  Here they are:

#1


#2


#3

[steve]

I wouldn't regard them as disasters. Getting clear definition and patterns can be tough with onsies.

Make sure you stick the nozzle right into folds. Try using thickeners.

[Rebekah]

Thanks for the suggestions!  What kind of thickener is best?  I use Dharma dyes. 

[deb]

They're not "disasters," they're "learning experiences." LOL

Seriously, I've done some stuff with fabric paint on some shirts, but I don't really see anything dreadully wrong with these - if I had babies I'd happily put them in those! 

That said - I have in the past discovered that if I have some leftover dye, mix it with some soda ash water so it begins to react, and paint it into areas that are too white to suit me, I can sometimes get closer to what I was imagining. Using a thickener like sodium alginate is apparently the way to go - I've bought some but not yet had the opportunity to use it, so I'll let the experienced dyers help you out there.

PS - I love your colors combos too!

[Rebekah]

Well, that makes me feel better!  Now, if I mix the prepared dye with a little soda ash solution, it won't weaken the color?  And how long should I let it sit after putting it on?

[ktaltre]

You could retie the swirl and redye with different colors. I have retied/retyed the swirl at a different location on the garment.
No, painting more dye on with soda ash in it won't weaken the colors. When you add the soda ash to the dye mix, you have 2 to 4 hour window until the dye won't work any more.
I like to use the dye/soda ash mix within a half an hour. I keep thinking of all the little dye molecules madly bonding with the water.
k. taltre

[Rebekah]

Thank you so much for your help!  Once I paint the dye on, how long does the garment need to sit before rinsing/washing?  And just to be sure I understand, since there's soda ash in the dye now, I wouldn't need to presoak it in soda ash, right?

[pburch]

Didn't you rinse out the soda ash? If you rinsed it even once, you need new soda ash.

You are clearly not spending enough time looking at the hideous baby clothes at the store if you think those are disasters. My first tie-dyeing efforts were for my first baby, and the worst mistake I made was wonderful compared to the alternatives.

Paula

[2D4]

"Someone will love it!" is my motto. (But these are, by no means, disasters.....)

My motto came by after dyeing my first romper. I tried to dye a classic
rainbow spiral with the center of the spiral in the middle of the "toosh" area.
It came out with a big brown area right in the middle. I immediately
wanted to put it in my bargain box but a friend convinced me not to....
Wouldn't you know it, it was the first one sold....with the customer proclaiming, "look it's
already got baby poop on it".....I couldn't believe it.....hence the motto,
"Someone will love it". It has held true over and over again through the years.

Jo

[Rebekah]

So encouraging!!!!  Thank you! 

Yep, I rinsed, so I'll soak again. 

[pburch]

Oops, were you asking about soaking if you add soda ash directly to the dye? You don't have to do both. Either presoak in soda ash again, or add the soda ash directly to the dye.

It may be more convenient for you to soak in soda ash and then line-dry. The dry soda ash in the fabric works fine for painting dye on. You can mix the dyes according to your usual tie-dye recipe.

Paula

[Rebekah]

Ahhh, that makes sense.  Hmm, I hadn't thought about soaking then line drying, that sounds like a good plan.  I'll probably go that direction for painting on the dye. 

[pburch]

One thing to keep in mind with dye-painting on soda-soaked fabric, the brush you use will dissolve bits of soda ash and carry it back to your dye. This will make the remaining unused dye react with the water, which will use up its ability to react with fabric. If you make up more dye than you want to paint with in an hour, pour out just that hour's worth, and replenish later. Dye mixtures that have not been contaminated with soda ash will stay good for at least a week.

Ann Johnston has a good book on painting with Procion MX dye, called Color By Design.

Paula

[mishoga]

Rebekah, I like your work. I can't get those spirals at all and especially the stain glass look.
I need to learn so much.

[Rebekah]

One thing to keep in mind with dye-painting on soda-soaked fabric, the brush you use will dissolve bits of soda ash and carry it back to your dye. This will make the remaining unused dye react with the water, which will use up its ability to react with fabric. If you make up more dye than you want to paint with in an hour, pour out just that hour's worth, and replenish later. Dye mixtures that have not been contaminated with soda ash will stay good for at least a week.

Ann Johnston has a good book on painting with Procion MX dye, called Color By Design.

Paula

I think I need to get to the library and check out that book