Cheesecloth for straining dye liquor. 



Sticks or glass rods for stirring and turning material in the dyebath. These 

 should be made of smooth, splinter-free wood or very thick glass. Glass 

 towel rods are useful. Most plastics melt or bend when subjected to high 

 temperatiu'es, thus most plastic rods could not be used. 



Stove: if possible, have it set lower than usual so that lifting pots of 

 water and stirring the dyebath will be easier. 



Thermometer for testing temperature of the dyebath and rinse water. 



Rubber gloves for protecting the hands from chemicals used in dyeing. 



Drying rack or clothesline sheltered from the sun. 



Soft water supply: filtered rain water or chemically softened water will 

 help to prevent spotting caused by minerals in water. 



Neutral soap: mild soap such as recommended for lingerie and fine 

 woolens is satisfactory. 



Dye materials and chemicals which cannot be found in nature may be 

 purchased from drugstores and botanical-drug suppliers. See appendix A 

 for list of common names of dye chemicals. 



Preparation for Dyeing 



A NOTE OF CAUTION: Keep dye material out of children's reach. Some of 

 these substances are poisonous, and may cause skin irritation. 



1 . Collecting and storing plant materials 



It is difficult to make general statements on this subject beyond an 

 old-time dyer's warning: "In collecting die-stuflfs, be particular to get 

 the best kind of every sort; for in having one (specimen) that is poor, it 

 may be a great injury to the color . . ." (Waite, 1815, p. 80). The most 

 concentrated dyes are usually found in material that is harvested just 

 as it is reaching maturity. Often it is used immediately; in certain cases, 

 the plant material can be spread out and dried carefully, avoiding the 

 danger of mold caused by trapping plant moisture. 



2. Weighing 



The dry weight of the fiber, yarn, or cloth to be dyed determines the 

 quantity of soap to use in washing it before dyeing; it also determines 

 the quantity of chemicals and dyestuffs to use in the mordanting and dye- 

 ing processes. All recipes are based on 1 pound of wool or cotton weighed 

 dry before mordanting. 



3. Washing 



Dye solutions penetrate textile materials more thoroughly and evenly 

 if the yarn or fabric to be dyed is washed in soap and water and well 

 rinsed before dyeing. Starch and sizing which prevent fibers from readily 



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