I buy rit dye in bulk of the colors that I use most. I find that it works great. When using most dyes, you want to remember that temperature plays an important role in the process.... The warmer the water the darker the color!  But be careful that you don't make the water too hot, it'll shrink some fabrics.... including antron fleece!

You will also get darker color results the longer you leave the fabric soaking in the solution, but I still find that I get better results by using very warm water. Try it out using text swatches of fabric! It's neat to see the change in shades as you submerse (spell that right?) each piece at various temperatures but for the same length of time. 

-Michele

Michele

Do you dye your fabric in the bathtub, washing machine, or a other resource. I tried the kitchen (made a mess) used the bathtub (made a mess) Then I have used the good ole washing machine ( again made a mess) the washing machine episode, left my under- garments matching  my puppets I have thought of getting one of those galvanized wash pans from the farm supply, but did'nt want to haul buckets of hot water. I guess there is no easy way to dye fabric.
I tried storing dye in gallon jars, does dyes lose strength when stored this way. I have'nt stored in them since because the powder seem to have a particles settle to the bottom and left spots on my fabric.
Any suggestions?
Billy

I've used one of those Rubber Maid under-bed storage boxes to dye foam and one of those $5 plastic tubs with the rope handles to dye fleece.  Both seem to work well.

Ben
Is this something you tend to do inside or outside or maybe in a garage. Do you heat the water on the stove or get it right from the tap.
Billy

I did it in the kitchen (tub on the floor and RM thingy on the bar) and my waterwas a mix of boiling hot/hot tap water.  It was really warm at first 140 degrees or so. (H2O heater set on 125) It was too hot to stand long, but not scalding.  I have done just hot tap with liquid Rit and it did well.

To be honest I've never tried to duplicate a color that I've done previously.  I don't know if I could do it.  I would like someone to comment on getting consistency from one batch to the other. What are the critical things and the not so critical things?  I mean how big of a range do I have on temperature?  Will solar flares mess me up?

I've never been able to get the two dye baths to match, even using the recipes from the rit dye company. I'm sure there is a way to do it. Most factorys dye in large amounts, and I don't even think they get it just perfect,that is why some say dye lot # xxxx will vary from dye bath to dye bath.
Billy

I was thinking about purchasing an old antique washing machine at an auction. The kind that has the two rollers on it to wring out the wet clothes. You could dye the foam in the washer bucket and then wring out the foam using the rollers. This would be for my crafts only so I would not need to worry about keeping it to clean.
How does that sound
See ya
Chris

Don't let these antique dealers at the Markets of Greenwood here that, they would have us strung up in a tree, using a priceless antique for that.
I agree, its just ole washing machine to me and would work great outside under a shed, I have the shed now if I can just find a antique market......
Billy

I have got some people checking auctions for me now. I have been told that some times you can pick them up real cheep. If I find more than one I will let everyone know. By the way when I say cheep I mean under forty dollars any more than that and I just will use a bucket.
Later
Chris

I've never been able to get the two dye baths to match, even using the recipes from the rit dye company. I'm sure there is a way to do it. Most factorys dye in large amounts, and I don't even think they get it just perfect,that is why some say dye lot # xxxx will vary from dye bath to dye bath.
Billy

Billy,

On popular colors (usually flesh tone) I keep a record of water temperature at the start of the dye process and time fabric spent in the solution so that I can match the same color for large orders or characters in a "family".  I also do this for characters that I create for producers, and large productions in the event that they need duplicates of the same character. 

-Michele

PS: I use a software program called database professional which allows me to design an invoice/packing slip and save all of my orders. I just note the above information on the invoice for future use.