Shanazel

I like the visual textures I get by sprinkling salt on dye. I have a small piece about 12"x 12" that is red violet and blue violet, with a waterfall pattern created by sprinkling table salt on the wet piece. It's gorgeous and I keep thinking I'll use it in a fabric collage sometime, but I haven't come up with the right project yet. I also have a snake done in greens, blues and violet with just the smallest bit of yellow for warmth that is to be part of an appliqued picture. On the veils, the salt adds some interesting pattern to what would otherwise be a solid color fabric.

Phoebedances

That sounds facinating, Shan. So, I gather the salt changes the color of the dye or reacts with one part of it? I imagine you can't use primary colors in that? Where did you learn about doing the salt technique?

Shanazel

No, the salt does not change the color of the dye, it moves the dye around on the fabric.
With secondary and tertiary colors, the salt may cause the dyes to separate into contributing colors as it moves, but this probably depends on the type of dye you are using.

The movement of dye away from the salt has to do with chemistry and negative and positive charges of the dye ions and salt ions- basically, salt repels the dye so that the dye collects in other areas (please, all you chemists, don't chide me for what I know is a very simplistic explanation). I don't remember where I learned about the salt technique, but I love to watch it work.

Phoebedances

Thank you for the explanation - and don't worry, I'm not a chemist either.

akaisilks

Silk dyeing is so much fun that I've built an entire business around it..

I tried to dye silk guaze once, a long time ago, and wasn't happy with results so normally for veils I use 5, 6, or 8 mm habotai silk (you can get this from dharma or thai silks) ..and I love charmeuse silk for skirts but charmeuse is pretty pricey silk.

You can make a really pretty, affordable skirt and veil set by using 8 mm habotai silk. Your veil will be a little bit heavier but it will be the same weight as your skirt silk, so you can possibly get a discount if you buy enough yardage from one of the above links. You can make some really easy dye designs using a few fiber reactive procion dyes from dharma, some vinegar..etc.

I have a few different articles on dyeing silk that I plan to publish in the newsletter soon, if you want to find out more about it, you can email me at akaisilksinfo@yahoo.com . In the past I have written about dyeing pastels, dyeing swirls, and dyeing troupe veils. The future newsletters will contain some of these articles along with other helpful silk info

Don't be afraid to experiment..start with light colors that are easy to cover up. I sold my first silk veil over a decade ago, just using RIT dyes and a bit of experimentation, and now it's my full time job

have fun..
Jes at akai

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Phoebedances

Thats so inspirational, Jes. I'll definitely send you an email soon to get in on the dying articles, cause I need all the help I can get. It sounds so fun, just playing with dyes and fabric all the time. Bet you love doing what you do!

akaisilks

it's a blessing

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