Fabric Dye 101: How to Dye with Acid, Fiber Reactive, and RIT Dyes

Do you want more confidence to dye? Look no further! This video will give you all the information you need to start dyeing fabric! I highlight the three most common types of fabric dyes, go over the uses for each, discuss their pros and cons, and then give a step-by-step demonstration on how to dye using each type.

First we discuss my favorite, Acid Dye, which is used for protein fibers like silk and wool. Acid dyes are easy to use, safe and don't require any harsh chemicals--and will yield some amazing, washfast results!

Then we'll discuss the most useful of the three, Fiber Reactive Dyes, which are meant for cellulosic fibers including cotton, linen and rayon. If you want vibrant, washfast color on your cotton t-shirts, this is what you want to use!

Finally, we'll talk about the most common, and least useful, of the three: Union Dyes, like Rit and iDye. Rit dye is expensive and yields unpredictable results for the novice dyer, generally doesn't yield vibrant color on most fibers, and worse, it's not washfast! I'll discuss what Rit IS good for, and show you a better way to get a brighter color on your fabric.

Resources:

If you know of a place to buy fiber reactive or acid dyes in your country, please comment below and let me know where! I'm trying to compile a list for folks not in the US. I'll list them below once I have them.

Chapters:
00:00 Fabric Dye 101
00:52 What is Acid Dye?
02:48 Acid dye pros & cons
03:51 How to use acid dyes
07:43 What is Fiber Reactive Dye?
09:00 Fiber reactive dye pros & cons
11:18 How to use fiber reactive dyes
15:07 What is a Union Dye? (RIT dye)
16:38 Union Dye pros and cons
18:09 How to use union dyes

Socials:

#fabricdyeing #dye #textileart

[kathleentomajan]

I learned quite a bit in this video. It had been using Rit for years and now I’m ready to venture out.

[dancooper-jones]

I love the added extras, that state 'in the US', and I'm glad you out those bits in. yes, gloves and a mask/ very well ventilated area should be used for all of these, as inhaling any of these is really bad for your lungs. I find it interesting how the generic dye in the US is so much worse than the generic UK Dylon. kind of glad we don't have RIT😂

[marlimar]

I so love you!!! You had me at Acid Bath! Groovy man! So love all the knowledge laced in with comedy. Bravo!

[MaryDeanDotCom]

Really good summary. I have all this stuff in bins in my garage, but I couldn’t remember what the Synthrapol, salt, or soda ash was for. Here’s a hot tip: Cut out small squares of all the fabrics you have around, and throw them into your current dye bath, then keep those squares in a sampler notebook. Also, dye your thrift store clothes… ugly orange fabric can be turned into brown, lime green into emerald green, garish plaids into subtle plaids, stained blouses into un-stained blouses. Fun!

[avey]

"The dye anything 🤣🤣🤣🤣 You're so funny! Thank you so much for all this GREAT info in a fun, informative, and entertaining way. 💖

[blacktulip]

Thank you for a useful video! I don't have any silk (except kimonos) or wool fabric so I won't be trying the acid dyes but the fiber reactive ones sound great. Definitely will try these on my old cotton and linen clothes.

[maryjackson]

These things weren't readily available in my college days. thanks for the lesson -- I'll definitely use it!

[phelinmelon]

Thank you for this! I’ve been meaning to dye a white lab coat black for a while for a cosplay (Buying a black one straight up is super expensive for some reason…) and this video was very helpful! I appreciate the humorous additions which made it a fun and educational watch at the same time 😊. You’re very creative! I was told a respirator mask is highly recommended, so I lucked out as I already have one as someone who does custom figurines on the side haha! Thanks again

[michelenorine]

Brilliant!! Thank you so much for all this information in ONE place!! I have been wanting to try DT and Procyon and you have given me the confidence to try them. Right to the Point with the all the needed info - short and sweet!!

[babeage]

Still making decisions about whether to try to dye my scuba knit fabric, but this is such a helpful video. Thank you for all of this information. Appreciate you.

[matterofvibration]

You have beautiful energy, thanks for this great content👍👍👍

[LittleBrother.]

Thanks for all the helpful info. This video will be my product reference guide on my next project.❤

[angelika]

You are so good!!!!ty for the info and the laughs, we need you :)

[TheMagnoliaWitch]

The last time I dyed anything was when I needed a striped yellow shirt for a cosplay and could only find one in tan, so I mixed turmeric and vinegar in warm water in a metal bowl on the counter and soaked it overnight. It worked and the shirt is still yellow two years later and hasn't bled on any of my other clothes, so... success? 😂

[mirisoji]

Thank you so much for the tutorial! It's amazingingly detailed!

[semchawaheb-jxgj]

thank you for the detailed video, i have white cotton jeans i want to dye but the threads they use for stitching the jeans are polyester, do you know any good dye that can dye them both at the same time ?

[liav]

Wow! Those swatches are crazy different

[JustIsold]

Tiny note, I haven't watched the rest of the video, but inhaling acid dye powder is still not very good for your lungs. If you work with powdered dyes a lot consider using a glovebox or a respirator.

[paloma_hill]

really appreciating this whole video! yay!

[lyspaere]

Big subscribe from me girl! You're a saint for putting this together for people to see! I've used DTC a few times for some one-off projects, but they are so extensive I'm THRILLED to see you're summary so I can level up, so to speak. P.s. you're definitely invited to my hippie commune. Rad.