Silk and LWI?

[Rebekah]

Hi there!  I'd love to start making some playsilks, and have never done anything with silk before.  I'd like to have an LWI look to it, rather than just solids.  Here are my questions:

Is this possible, and if so, would I just use the same method as LWI on cotton?

Also, in reading in this forum, I see that some people choose to use vinegar as a fixer, rather than soda ash.  If I chose to do that, is it just straight vinegar, and how much for tub dye? and the same question for LWI

How do I prep the silk for tub or LWI dyeing?

When it's done, can I wash it in the washing machine with the synthrapol?  Do I still do it on HOT?  Then, I'm assuming, I would line dry?

[ktaltre]

Here are some links for LWI dyeing:
http://www.prochemical.com/directions/MX_LowWaterImmersion.htm

http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/653691-AA.shtml

http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/lowwaterimmersion.shtml

I have dyed lots of silk using the LWI process, with both soda ash and citric acid with mx dyes. The batching and washout is the same. The silk should be scrunched really tightly in a container to get the patterning. I often microwave the silk cloth. Some people feel they get better color by steaming the silk in stead of batching.
Ann Johnston's book "Color by Accident" is a wealth of information on LWI dyeing, as well as Paula Burch's site (above).
I like to evenly squish/crumple two/three/four yards of lightweight silk into a 9x13 inch plastic pan, drizzle various colors of dye over - carefully dump the cloth into another pan the same size and drizzle some more dye, and then pour soda ash or citric acid water just to cover and microwave till hot, cover and let sit several hours before washing.
Often, when using citric acid, there is no, or very little dye remaining in the silk.
k. taltre

[Rebekah]

Thanks so much for the links   I'm going to give it a try!