I have been preparing for a spinning workshop at the Guild, and the time came to dye materials for the class. I weighed and measured my merino braids and soaked them overnight.
I used a cold pad batch dye made in my state for this process, so I mixed up dye the night before and then put damp braids into plastic bags ready to be dyed… and poured on the colours.
Then–silk hankies and silk noil got the treatment.
My many bags of fibre and dye went into the sun for a 44C day or two before being rinsed. My stash of plastic bags unsuitable for other re-uses (and ditto for rubber bands and all kinds of saved-up stuff)–came into handy at last, along with virtually every bucket I possess! The silk hankies and noil came out rather pastel shades, which was a real surprise.
Some of my own silk cocoons got a dip in the dye too…
And the braids came out wonderfully well. Certainly more than enough fibre here for my workshop participants to be able to revel in playing with colour, texture and technique.
Local & Bespoke 
WOW. Those braids are stellar but like you I am surprised at the pastel shades since silk usually Really sucks up the dye brilliantly. Another mystery!
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Well, it’s a mystery to me. I could hear one of the people in the workshop saying she had the same experience with caps from our Guild and she thought they must have a coating of some kind. Could be…!
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The braids not only looked stellar but spun up beautifully-one advantage of a cold process is the lack of felting-they felt very much like spinning undyed merino. Great workshop!
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Thanks so much, Susan! I know it’s possible to achieve lovely outcomes with acid dyes but I don’t think I could do it–or enjoy it. I am so glad you had a good workshop! Thanks for these lovely compliments…
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Those braids are gorgeous!
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Thanks so much!
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You got aome teally stunning colors on the braids! Think the pink, orange and yellow is my favorite blend even though its colors i dont ever wear.
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I feel the same way: that combination looks great even though I wouldn’t wear it. Thanks so much!
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