Melanie Schuessler wrote:
I've done all kinds of overdying for theatre to tone things down. It really depends on which way you want the color to go. Grey is not always the best choice, as it really dulls things out. Tan and ecru will take the color in a warmer direction, but it depends on the characteristics of those colors in the dye you use.
My guess without having done it is that a tan or ecru would be bettter for warmer colors, and a gray for cool; these are all yellows, oranges, and peaches.
Sometimes what we do is use a tiny bit of the complementary color--overdye a really bright green with some red or pink. This takes down the intensity of the color without greying it out. If you use a lot, of course, it will turn some shade of brown.
I was also considering that. Not knowing what sort
of dye you'll be using, I can't recommend a proportion.
Procion dyes for cotton, washer dyeing, washer holds 15 gallons. I found out by experience that regular dyeing to full strength, for this amount of water, takes twice the amount of dye recommended for vat dyeing. I like washer dyeing because all the agitation pretty much guarantees a nice even dye job as long as you don't cram in too much material. And because, although you have to keep turning the dial back to get a long enough agitation time, I can get my husband to help--he doesn't mind taking his laptop or a book to the basement and spending an hour or two there. I suspect getting him to help stir a dye pot on the stove is not on the cards. I have a couple dozen shirts and tops to tone down.
The only thing
I can suggest in general is to use less than you think you'll need, and if it isn't enough, do it again. You can always add more, but as someone pointed out, it's hard to take it out again.
That does sound like a good idea.
Someone also suggested using color/dye remover. You could try this--its efficacy will depend on what sort of dye you used in the first place. And you'll have to have a big enough pot to do it on the stove, as it requires heat. And it STINKS to high heaven. The result (if it works) will be a pastel version of the color you currently have.
I'd prefer these colors darker rather than lighter. Do you think for an ecru overdye 10% of our usual amount would be good?
Thanks, Fran _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
