TOP-DYEING 



It is often necessary to top-dye or dip material into two differently colored 

 dyebaths in order to obtain a desired hue. See the section on Color (pages 57 

 to 63) for suggestions on combining colors. 



To top-dye successfully one must start with dyebaths that will produce 

 good clear colors. Thus, if a good green is desired, start with a bright clear 

 yellow (not a muddy yellow or yellow tan), then top it with a clear blue. 

 Yellows obtained from broomsedge, fustic extract, privet leaves, or golden- 

 rod flowers are satisfactory, but prolonged boiling of any of these is likely to 

 dull the color. Good greens are also obtained by dyeing first with indigo 

 and top-dyeing with yellow. 



The chart below suggests which dyestuffs yielding yellow, red, brown, 

 and blue can be combined to produce fast green, orange, red purple, and 

 black. 



Top-Dyeing with Madder 



Method 1 

 1 pound dyed wool 

 4 ounces madder 



Soak madder in water overnight. The following morning add water to 

 the dye extract to make a dyebath of 4 to 4)^ gallons. Before immersing wool 

 in the dyebath, thoroughly wet it in water and squeeze out excess moisture. 

 Immerse the wool; heat the bath to between 140° F. and 160° F. and stir 

 while maintaining this temperature for 30 minutes; rinse and dry. 



Method 2 



1 pound dyed wool 

 8 ounces madder 



Soak madder in water overnight. The following morning add water to the 

 dye extract to make a dyebath of 4 to 4)^ gallons. Thoroughly wet the wool 

 and squeeze out excess moisture. Immerse it in the dyebath and heat it to 

 between 140° and 160° F. Stir while maintaining this temperature for 15 

 minutes; rinse and dry. 



Chart for Top-Dyeing 



To dye 



Mordant 

 with 



Dye first 

 with 



Following 



directions 



for* 



Final 



Following 

 directions 

 for 



black wool 



alum 



indigo 



indigo dye- 



Persian 



light brown 









ing method 



walnut hulls 



wool** 









1 or 2* 



or black 



walnut 



hulls 



dark brown 

 wool** 



See footnotes at end of chart 



107 



