Preparing fabric for dyeing with Procion MX dyes
There are two options:
- PFD fabric is fabric that is already Prepared for Dyeing – I use a mercerised broadcloth, quilters percale and a cotton poplin that I purchase as PFD fabrics and I dye them without any further preparation. Though some sources believe that you should pre-wash these as well, I never have.
- I have also used a cotton broadcloth, homespun and calico; and have over-dyed light-coloured quilting cotton fabrics.
- These commercial fabrics need to be prepared by scouring to remove all sizing, dirt, waxes, oils or other fabric finishes.
- If fabric is not completely clean and free of all finishes, it will not dye evenly.
Scouring commercial fabrics
You need to wash the fabrics in hot water, with the addition of some soda ash and a neutral detergent. People who do a lot of dyeing use Synthrapol.
For 3-4 metres of fabric, I simply put the fabric in the washing machine on a hot wash, with 1 teaspoon of soda ash (dissolved in hot water) and a 1 teaspoon of washing detergent, (not powder). Don’t use detergent with added bleach or enzymes.
If you don’t have suitable washing detergent, you can use dish-washing detergent.
You can find Soda Ash at Bunnings, or at a Pool Suppliers.
