Dyeing stuff in the washing machine

[alonewiththemoon]

Good idea or bad?  I bought a white silk veil from Dharma Trading Co. and this iDye stuff.  The lazy part of me thinks using the washing machine sounds like a wonderful idea.  The pessimistic part of me worries that the next few loads of laundry will smell like vinegar and possibly be tinged olive green (though since most of the laundry is black, that may not be much of an issue), and that the veil will be splotchy (though splotchy might not be terrible since it's to match the new green leopard print costume, which contains many greens in it).  Anybody have experience with fabric dyeing in the washing machine? 

I've heard varying things about the quality of Dharma Trading's silk veils for belly dance, but just swishing around the dining room with it, it seemed quite nice.  There's a sort of rolled hem all around it but I didn't find it interfered with the rippley, floaty quality of the silk.  I can see how these veils might not be the best for vigorous old school veilwork due to their light weight, but for Arabic entrance veilwork I think it will do just fine.

I quite enjoyed the new Indiana Jones movie.  I think it's key to remember that these films are an homage to pulp fiction, not intended to be great art or even particularly good art.  The pulp fiction aspect also helps some of the more bizarre plot bits more understandable, as they were in line with the themes of pulp fiction in the 50s, when this film takes place.  I definitely appreciated the reliance on stunt work rather than CGI; you could feel the difference in the chase scenes.  It's more visceral when you know it's for real.  It was excellent to see Marian again, she was an important childhood role model for me, which probably explains a lot.

Comments

[mittenstone.livejournal.com]

You could probably erase all traces of the dye by adding some bleach to a blank load, but the only time I've tried this it was a horrible disaster. Not recommended.

[talesinsdaughtr.livejournal.com]

My own experience with dyeing fabrics in the washing machine tells me it's a bad idea. I've found splotchy-ness to be a problem (though you said your self that splotchy make work to your advantage). Also with really large pieces of fabric, I've found that it twists in the machine and ends up tie-dyed.
I've been told that running the machine through a rinse cycle with nothing in it clears out the remaining dye, but I always still found traces of the dye were present in the next load that I did, though faint and forgiveable if it wasn't your favorite clothing. Lucky us for being goths.

I'm pretty sure I remember Armandae once did a very complex dyeing job in her washing machine, and it seemed to turn out fine. She might be one to ask.

[lepidosiren.livejournal.com]

I've never had problems dyeing in washing machines. It is essential to follow up with an empty, hot water, extra-large-load, lots-of-bleach wash with detergent, to get the dye off the machine's insides.

I've done it a three or four times with black dye, and I washed my white shirts in the same machines a few loads later.

[peregrinekt.livejournal.com]

if its just one veil, I have done lots of them in a big pot on the stove, and had no problems. just agitate it enough by stirring to get the tone even. or go for a subtle pattern for texture by folding/twisting on purpose... maybe dye once for a lighter version of the color in the background, remove, manipulate fabric, overdye it with the same color... etc...

(i dont have a washing machine, so, no advice there :) )

[rojagato.livejournal.com]

Whether you go with the stovetop or machine method, you'll still have to wash the item again to set the dye and get rid of excess, so you're still stuck with needing to "clean" out the machine (using Ruben's method).

If this is the only item you're dyeing, and you're not restricting it in a mesh bag or anything, you'll likely get a nice even result with machine dyeing. I would be concerned whether the washing machine might be too tough on the fabric and the hemstitchng.

God, I loved Marian. She was quite influential for me as well.

[dancer.livejournal.com]

We've done this too (though with greens, grays and browns) and have had no issues with dye remaining.

[julishka.livejournal.com]

i'm a fan of stovetop dying. it does a great job. colors usually very intense and resist fading (but i'm a rit dye person, not these new dyes) you can also rinse out a lot of the dye in the sink before using the washer, therefore reducing the amount of dye that's in the washer.

if you can control your washer (i.e., not coin op) then that's not so important. still, i'd be more apt to rinse in the sink and then wash in the washer.

[nepenthedreams]

You inspired me - I want to do my own dying too. But I think I'd use a pot, not the washing machine.