Dying silk

Today being a holiday I decided to dye some scarves.  I used different techniques.  One that my teacher called fortuny is tie dying.  This is a method that needs another person to help.  After painting large blocks of colour onto the silk  you hang them on the line and wait for them to dry.  It is also a good thing to use some paper towel to keep the line clean otherwise when you hang the washing out it picks up any dye left on the line.  You need to throw out the used pegs as well.  Once all the silk is dry pleat the ends and then with (your very favourite person in the world) to help twist the silk into a cord.  Wrap the cord around some plactic tubing with ridges and holes and secure with wool.  Boil the silk for about 30-45 minutes.  When the silk is wrapped around the tubing it is just large blocks of colour but when you unwrap it, it is like an amazing jewel.  You never know exactly how the scarf will turn out.  It is a magical experience and has to be seen to be believed. 

The other technique I used was to paint spashes of colour all over the silk and then sprinkle it with either rock salt or epsom salts.  I prefer to use epsom salts as I believe that it draws the colours better.  I used to wait until the silk was completely dry before I hung it out to dry.  Today though I moved the silk while it was still damp and found that the epsom salts came off more easily.  You cannot steam the silk unless there is no salt on it.  Once the silk is dry wrap it between sheets of butcher's paper.  Fold up into little parcels and then steam. I usually steam the silk for about 45 minutes. If the steaming is not done correctly the silk might get damp and the colour leaches out.  I think the only way to do this is to learn by trial and error.  My steamer is a huge spaghetti cooker and works really well.

I had a couple of small pieces of silk left over so I rolled them up and tucked one end in yellow dye and the other end in orange.  The other one I did in green and yellow.  I had a little bit of red and navy dye left over so I poured them onto the table and just wiped up the colours with my last little piece of silk.  I threw some salt on it and the colour pulled beautifully.  It turned out to be a purple/mauve colour and looks spectacular. 

I love silk scarves and get so attached to them that I really don't want to part with them.  This sort of negates the whole idea of making money by producing a craft item really. 

Producing these scarves is a long drawn out process plus it is quite expensive.  The silk is approximately $80 for a dozen scarves.  Last time I bought the dyes they were about $12 a bottle, but the price has probably increased since I last bought any.  There is special washing liquid and conditioning liquid but I have run out so used shampoo and vinegar.  As you can see by these prices plus the work involved the scarves should be over $50.  However, as we all know, no-one wants to spend money.  If I could sell things at a fancy giftware store I could get a better price but I only have local markets and so cannot expect to sell anything over about $25.

Next time you see scarves at a market for what seems to be an inflated price you will understand where the seller is coming from.  Good luck to them if they can sell a couple.

If you take up this craft you will enjoy it immensely.  I love it.  Give it a try.  There are plenty of silk dying books around the place.  Go on have a go.