help with alginate??

[rainbow delight]

Hi all
I am new to tie dyeing and I think I want to try using some alginate.
(I would probably order the stuff from Dharma) I'm not sure how much to add to 8oz. of dye?
I don't want it supper thick just enough so the colors don't bleed so much and to prevent those little color
splotches when tipping the bottles up or down ect...
also whats the best way to add it, like to the dye directly, or in the water urea mix first?
Thanks

[tiedyejudy]

I confess I'm not too keen on alginate... had some bad experiences with lumpiness.  But I do have a suggestion for preventing splotches.  Tip the item slightly with one hand while you bring the tip of your bottle over to touch the fabric with your other.  Starting with the bottle at an angle, rather than turning it all the way over to start dyeing, will help prevent the splotches.  And if you want to thicken the dye too, you might think about trying Dharma's "Superclear".  It comes liquid, has the consistency of honey, and mixes in very easily.  I generally will mix 3-4 tablespoons to 8 ounces of dye liquid when I use it.
Happy dyeing!
Judy

[rainbow delight]

Thanks for the help, I will definitely look in to that!

[pburch]

Try two teaspoons per four cups of water. Make it up for several colors at once, and then add the dye. Using a whisk and sprinkling the alginate onto the surface of the water as you whisk helps a lot in preventing lumps, or first mix it with alcohol. Always use either sodium hexametaphosphate or distilled water, because even a little water hardness can make alginate gel.

Also see Sodium alginate, Superclear, and other dye thickeners.

-Paula

[ktaltre]

Michael Fowler's recipe for a chemical water containing sodium alginate (high viscosity) for tie dye:
2 cups water
1/8 cup Urea
1 teaspoon sodium alginate

Fowler mixed his chem water up in a blender.
Sprinkle the SA in the water while mixing; it has to be continually in motion as it is mixed, to not form lumps.
I can do it with a whisk, but a blender is better.
The chem water must sit for at least an hour, preferably overnight, before using.
Fowler then used 2 tablespoons of mx dye in that ratio of chem water.
If activated dye is wanted, add 1 teaspoon of soda ash along with the dye.
Paler colors can be made by adding more chem water in the dye mix.
(and what Paula said)
k. taltre

Some dyers mix up a gallon of chem water at a time and save it in the fridge.
k. taltre