mixing soda ash into dye solution

[churlgirl]

I normally do the usual soak in soda ash, then dye routine.  But I'll be tie dying with a group of girl scouts, so I was thinking of simplifying the process by adding the soda ash into the dye so we don't have to soak.  I know I have to add the soda ash at the last minute since the dye starts to go bad.  Can I mix the dry procion dye power with soda ash, and add water at the last minute, or do I need to add the dry soda ash to the dye solution just before using?  I read a suggestion of 1/2 tsp per 8 oz of dye - is this right?  Does it really dissolve in the dyes at room temperature?

Will there be any difference in the dying process or results if we have soda ash mixed in the dyes?  (We're doing simple spiral designs.)

Thanks!

[ktaltre]

Why don't you mix a chemical water and then mix the dye in when you are ready to dye.
Here is a ratio from M. Fowler's class at ProChem several years ago:
2 cups water
1/8 cup urea
1 teaspoon sodium alginate (maybe don't really need the SA, it's to slightly thicken the dye)
1 teaspoon of soda ash
The chem water needs to sit overnight if you put the sodium alginate in, or at least a couple of hours.

Fowler then put 2 tablespoons of dye powder into that ratio.
That's pretty dark; to lighten, add more chem water.

So the 1/2 tsp soda ash to a cup seems right.
You could also mix up the dye with water beforehand, say 2 TBL dye to a half+ cup of water and keep cold until use. Then you wouldn't have to play with the powder with the group.
You'll have a couple of hour window to apply the dye.

Test this, but it worked fine in class. I often got to the dye late and got strange "sort of dyed" tiedye.
I still use activated dye, but do it a bit different now.
k. taltre

[2D4]

Just adding my two bits....

I do groups quite often, for large groups I pre-soak the shirts before I go, for smaller
groups I just have them soak them while I give a demonstration on folding techniques.
Then we fold them up and dye them. This way I can take more colors for the group
to play with and don't have to worry about the dyes expiring.....

Jo