This was a white silk scarf I dyed using methyl hydrate (commonly known as gas line antifreeze for my neighbours in the south) and classic reinker, then stamped using craft ink!
Date: Monday, November 7, 2005 GMT Views: 1076
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Registered: February 10, 2005 Location: Central WI Posts: 3768
Tue, Nov 08, 2005 @ 8:14 AM
OMG!!! I can't believe this!!! How awesome!!!
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Registered: September 16, 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 336
Tue, Nov 08, 2005 @ 10:36 PM
Here's the scoop on the dye bath....and I must admit this was trial and error ...this scarf in the picture I actuall ruined and had to redo becasue i didn't heat set the craft ink for long enough and when I rinsed it, it washed off! I was so ticked! Here's what I did:
1) hand wash the brand new white scarf and hang to dry. You cannot skip this step becasue the fabric is full of starch and nothing will stick to it if you do.
2) Mix a solution of gasline antifreeze (methyl hydrate) and a few drops of classic reinker. As much as you want to achieve the color intensity you are seeking. The more ink the darker the color.
3) thoroughly saturate the scarf in this, wring out the excess and throw it in the dryer for 15-20 minutes. Then iron. I actually did this twice because it wasn't dark enough the first time.
4) Stamp with craft ink however you want.
5) You must heat set! I layed it flat on my ironing board with a piece of white paper over top and ironed it on the highest setting, lol...keep the iron moving! Then I threw it in the dryer again for 30 minutes just for good measure
That is where I ran into problems the first time, from not heat setting enough. The first time when I tried this, I wet it at the end just to test it's color fastness and gave it a quick ironing, and that is when the craft ink came off....hence the reason I threw it in the dryer for 30 minutes this time. After the initial mistake, it was suggested to me to give it a final rinse 24 hours after stamping, in a vinegar and water solution to help set it even more. So I am going to try that tomorrow with another scarf that I stamped tonight to see if all the dryer time and vinegar has helped. Cross your fingers that it works! I embossed on one too and it looks awesome!
Registered: June 8, 2005 Location: California Posts: 1708
Fri, Nov 18, 2005 @ 1:12 PM
I read this thread with great enthusiasm as I wanted an inexpensive way to dye similar scarves. However, I worried about using the gas line antifreeze (methyl hydrate) as I started reading up on it on the web and it states that it is quite toxic (duh) so make sure you use gloves when rinsing it in the dye bath. The stuff can be absorbed through your skin (and no doubt the colored dye would leave an awful mess on your hands too, lol!)
Denatured alcohol is often used in place of methyl hydrate, it seems. I wonder if that can be used instead to achieve the same dye effect?
Registered: September 16, 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 336
Fri, Nov 18, 2005 @ 4:03 PM
Yes I used latex gloves to protect my hands ....mainly becasue I didn't want them dyed too! After ruining a few scarves I think I am through experimenting but if you try the denatured alcohol let me know how it works! I also discovered that craft ink refill works better to dye with the methyl hydrate than classic, it is much more color fast ....I had a lot of problems once I got the scarves wet.
Registered: June 8, 2005 Location: California Posts: 1708
Sat, Nov 19, 2005 @ 9:07 AM
Thank you for the info! I'm going to try both of them this week (that is if I can find them). I'll let you know how they turn out! By the way, is it okay just to handrinse the scarves initially, or must you use some kind of mild detergent?