Dye is a useful tool for many hobbies, including knitting, sewing, leathercrafting, and many more. Choosing the right dye for your project isn’t just hard – it’s daunting, especially when there’s so many options to choose from. Luckily, learning the function of most dyes and their brands is simple once you are in the know. So, if you’re looking to find more information about what dye to use for your next project, you’re in the right place.
When it comes to fabric dyeing, the main thing you must consider is the composition of the fabric itself. Dyes like Rit All-Purpose Dye, Dylon All-in-1 Fabric Dye, and Jaquard iDye, all are suitable for fabric made of natural fibers. This includes cotton, linen, wool, silk, rayon and more. If your fabric is 100% natural fabrics, then these dyes are perfect for the job. However, when the fabric is synthetic (polyester, acrylic, acetate, and blends containing those fibers), specific synthetic dyes must be used. Rit Dyemore and Jacquard iDye Poly are the brands to go for. Regular natural fiber dye will not work on synthetic fabrics. This holds true for synthetic yarn, too. Acrylic and acrylic blends are only able to be properly dyed with synthetic-specific dye.
These options are great for warm or hot water dyeing, but for backyard projects, ice dyeing, and tie-dyeing Jacquard Procion MX will yield the best results. Procion MX creates the most vibrant colours for cotton, linen, and other plant-based fabrics (hemp, jute, rayon, paper, etc.), and can also be used with protein-fiber based fabrics if acidified.
All this information is good and all, but what about more yarn? Well, look no further. Yarn – and fabric - made from protein fibers are suited best for Jacquard Acid Dye. Don’t let the name fool you – the acid is vinegar or citric acid, both commonly used in cooking and not corrosive to skin! Silk, wool, cashmere, alpaca, feathers, and other protein fibers work the best with this acid dye. Wool can also be dyed with natural fiber dyes such as Rit All-Purpose Dye, Dylon All-in-1 Fabric Dye, and Jaquard iDye, but the results will not be as vibrant or consistent as the acid dyes.
For all dyeing projects involving leather or suede, Angelus brand dyes are perfect. Angelus Premium Leather Dye comes with a wide range of colours for the perfect leather shade your heart desires, while Angelus Liquid Suede Leather Dye is the same but for suede surfaces rather than leather. Make sure not to mix up the two – inconsistent results may occur if you do!
Lastly, dyes can be used in several ways more than describes. In fact, wig makers use Rit Dyemore and Jacquard iDye Poly to dye synthetic wigs! There have been instances of Jacquard iDye being used to dye wood surfaces, Rit Dyemore to change the colour of Halloween skeletons and even faux flowers! With dye, the sky’s the limit when it comes to the things you can apply it to. The sky, and your imagination!