HINTS ON DYEING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20671, 9 March 1937, Page 10

HINTS ON DYEING

When dyeing light materials such as curtains never work with a dye in a lumpy state. If it is lumpy crush the dye first, then tie it in a muslin bag with a long string attached. The dye will mix better this way, and when the mixture is the right shade the dye can easily be withdrawn from the bath. Do not allow the dye to settle in the folds of curtains after the material has become impregnated with the qolouring. Keep the material moving about in the dye, or if the material is too heavy keep the dye moving. You can easily do this by means of one or two sticks. As soon as the curtains assume the desired shade lift them from the dye bath and immerse them in a large pail or bath with cold water running through. Rinse until the water drains off quite clear. Another fault in home dyeing is that of having the solution too weak for the amount of material to be dyed. Weigh your curtains before dyeing them, then you know what dye is needed to each pound weight of the material. A dye packet is usually intended for a pound weight of your material. Too much dye cannot be taken in by the stuff, but too little gives poor colour and leaves an odd look on the face of the material. Never attempt to dye anything that is dirty or marked with grease. If your material is grease-marked remove the spots, then dye. Get the curtain really clean first, soak all possible colour and stiffening out second. For the more one can bleach a material the more certain one is of getting just the right shade.