I have been having some trouble w/ veniards dye. I followed the instructions as they are listed in the article on this site, but I can’t get the color to stick. The colors I’m using are flo yellow, flo green and insect green, and i’m dying cotton chenille. The color looks great out of the dye bath but I can ring out the color w/o even using water. I have been using distilled white vinigar to lock the color, the only other option I can think of trying is using pure acidic acid, but I have no idea where to find such a thing. Any help would be appreciated.
thanks
Jeff
Jeff,
I use Veniard dyes amost exclusively and have never experienced any problems at all. Is there any chance that the chenille you’re trying to dye is synthetic rather than cotton? Just a thought…
Jim Smith
Maybe heating it a little will help set the color?
i guess it is possible that it could be synthetic, but it does take rit dye just fine and it was sold to me as a cotton. Do you use vinigar to set the color.
Flyrodde, how do you mean heat it up?
While it is soaking in the dye, in the microwave or on the stove. Not boiling, but warmer than your fingers can stand.
Hey Jeff:
You can get the water to about 140 degrees. If it is too hot the chenille may coil into a tight rope and you don’t want that.
Here is what I think, I don’t know for sure. Veniard is a dye for proteins, natural fibers.
Rit is a mix of the protein and synthetic material dye.
You might try Jacquard’s Procion MX dye. Readily available in most art or art supply stores. It is a dye for non protein materials. The MX dye works best around 110 degrees.
You can go to Jacquards website and read up on it. I think you are good with the vinegar. On Jacquards site, they have a forum where this pro can help with any dyeing question. She is good.
Bob
thanks for the input, i think I may give jacquards a try.
jeff