Colorhue Silk Dyes Instructions

Colorhue Silk Dyes are instant-set, to be used on silk, wool and other protein fibers. Cool results on mixed fiber blends too, like silk/rayon devore´ (etched) satins and velvets, where most of the color goes on the silk and it is more pastel on the rayon. We also got it to work somewhat on cellulose fibers like cotton, rayon, linen and hemp, giving pastel color — but we recommend testing because results really varied on these fibers.

To set them, simply let them thoroughly dry. Do rinse in cool water to remove excess dye. Keep in mind that because they are "instant" setting dyes, you cannot do some techniques you can with other silk dyes or paints, like salt and alcohol techniques. But keep reading — there is a lot of cool stuff you can do!

Set-Up

You'll need gloves, pipettes, and plastic or glass containers. These dyes are very concentrated, so gloves are recommended. Use plastic or glass for mixing — glass is best for storing any leftover mixed dye. You can also dye small pieces directly in zip-lock bags. Do not use metal containers or utensils.

Color Mixing

Start by putting a little water in your container, then add dye using pipettes — they help with measuring and prevent spillage. The standard ratio is 3 parts water to 1 part dye (use more dye for stronger colors, more water for lighter). To check a color, wet a scrap of fabric and dip it in. Note: blue looks purple in the bottle, but turns blue once it hits the air.

Color Recipes

You can easily mix the dyes together to create numerous shades:

• Rose + Yellow = Orange
• Yellow + Blue = Green
• Blue + Rose = Violet
• Rose + Green + Yellow = Brown
• Add a little Yellow to Rose to get more of a Red
• Black can be added to any color to make it darker

Bubble Pack or Dry Cleaning Bags

This is a fantastic technique that picks up the pattern of the plastic.

1. Lay the plastic bubble side up. If using a dry cleaning bag, slit it open and wrinkle it.
2. Lay silk right side down on the plastic.
3. With a large foam brush, brush the fabric with water. This merges the plastic and silk together and prevents streaking.
4. Mix Colorhue at 3 parts water to 1 part dye and stir.
5. Using a foam brush, brush on the dye.
6. Let dry for at least one hour before removing from the plastic.
7. Dry, then press.

Pleating

Because this dye is so instant, you can brush on several colors with very little merging.

1. At the ironing board, pleat your fabric into 1 inch pleats.
2. Wrap the fabric with rubber bands — wherever the bands are, the fabric will remain white.
3. Using foam brushes, push the dye into the areas between the rubber bands. Three colors usually works best; more tends to get too busy.

Marbles

1. Lay out plastic over your table.
2. Place marbles in the fabric and tie in place with rubber bands.
3. Brush on the dye using foam brushes.

Evenly Dyeing

For deeper colors, add more dye and just enough water to cover the fabric. The longer you leave the fabric in, the darker it will be. If the water turns very light, the dye has been absorbed — take the fabric out, add more dye, stir, place fabric back in and stir. If leaving in for over an hour, stir every 15 minutes to keep color even.

1. Pre-wet the fabric by placing it in a large container of water and stirring. Remove and place in an empty container.
2. Pour dye into the water container.
3. Place the wet silk in the dye water and stir until all dye is absorbed — the silk absorbs the dye, leaving the water clear.
4. Hang to dry.

Uneven Dyeing

1. Scrunch your silk and tie with rubber bands or clothespins.
2. Dip in dye or place in a zip-lock bag.
3. Squeeze out dye, dry, and repeat with a second color.

Spritz It!

1. Cover your area with white plastic. Dilute the dye with water and pour into a spray bottle.
2. Scrunch up your fabric for an uneven color effect, then spray.
3. Repeat with other colors.