Soda Soak

Fibers 1: Working with thickened dye/ Tuma
SODA SOAK METHOD FOR PROCION
PRINTING/PAINTING

1. Wash fabric to get rid of sizing and stiffeners. This recipe applies to approximately one pound of fabric (three adult t-shirts). Adjust amount accordingly.


2. Presoak fabric in a solution of 5 Tbsp. washing soda per gallon of water for a minimum of 15 minutes. DO NOT RINSE.


3. Allow fabric to dry and press if needed on low setting (the washing soda scorches easily on the fabric). Or, if you prefer, work on the wet soda-soaked surface for color washes.


4. Mix the dyes: place desired amount of sodium alginate paste or print paste in a small plastic container. Slowly add the dye and mix thoroughly, checking color intensity and shade on a scrap of cloth. When dry the shade will be slightly lighter. Be sure to stir enough to dissolve dye.


5. Let the painted or printed fabric dry slowly under plastic sheeting. During the drying process, the washing soda makes the bond between fiber and dye molecules permanent. If your piece dries too quickly, the color will be uneven or pale.


6. Rinse in buckets of cold water until the excess dye stops running. Use a small amount of synthropol or mild dish soap and hot water. Rinse again in cold. If you don’t remove all the excess dye, it will become fugitive, creeping to the surface of the cloth causing the color to be chalky and uneven.

PREPARING SODIUM ALGINATE PASTE

Put 4 cups of tap water in blender, and sprinkle 1 tsp. sodium alginate powder into the water. Blend well. Allow to sit a minute. Sprinkle another tsp. sodium alginate powder into water and blend well. Allow to sit a minute. Repeat this process until 6 tsps. are added to the water. It may be that the blender will not mix the last round, due to thickness of the paste. If this is the case, you can stir it by hand.When thoroughly mixed, pour into plastic bottles and refrigerate. Paste is ready to use in 24 hours. Always store paste in the refrigerator. Over time, the past can break down, so you may have to sprinkle a tiny bit of extra powder into the paste to stiffen it up.

PREPARING PROCHEMICAL PRINT PASTE

If working with Print Paste, all you have to do is add water and mix to the right consistency, thinner for painting, thicker for printing. Store paste in a plastic container with a tight fitting lid. No refrigeration is necessary. It should last several weeks this way. Discard when it begins to have an ammonia smell.

Immersion Instructions

IMMERSION DYING with Procion Fiber-reactive Dye

For use on cotton, linen, rayon, and other plant fibers. Can also be used on silk. Use enamel or plastic containers/ utensils only.

1. Prewash fabric in hot water using mild soap and NO FABRIC SOFTENER. This removes finishes from fabric that may inhibit dye reception.

2. To begin dye bath, first presoak fabric in cool tap water for 15 minutes or more.


3. Check water level during presoak. The water should cover textiles and allow for free movement, but no more water than is necessary should be used. Remove textiles from presoak bath and place aside. Measure water. This amount of water determines the amount of dye, salt and soda ash you will use.


4. Add salt to the (presoak) water and stir to dissolve.
   
   Amount of salt per quart of water:
   
   light shade - 2 tablespoons (Tbsp)
   medium shade - 3 Tbsp
   dark shade - 4 Tbsp
   
   
5. Add dye to water bath and stir to dissolve.

If using dye already mixed with water for class:

Amount of dye per quart of water:

light shade - 1/4 teaspoon (tsp)
medium shade - 1 tsp
dark shade - 2 tsp

If using straight dye powder from Procion container:

Amount of dye per quart of water:

light shade - 1/16 tsp
medium shade - 1/4 tsp
dark shade - 1/2 tsp


Add presoaked fabric to dye bath and stir continuously for 10-15 minutes. Remove fabric from dye bath and put aside.

6. Dissolve the correct amount soda ash (sodium carbonate) in a small amount of hot water. Add this mixture to dye bath and stir until fully dissolved. Replace cloth into bath and stir continuously for 5 minutes, then stir every 5 minutes for the next 60 minutes.

Use 1 Tbsp of soda ash per quart of water.


7. Discard dye bath and rinse until water runs clear, then wash with a small amount of synthropol or light built soap and rinse again. You can never rinse too much! Blot squeezed fabric between paper and hang to dry.
   

   Equivalent Measures:
   
   1 Tbsp = 3 tsp
   1/4 cup = 4 Tbsp
   1/3 cup = 5 Tbsp + 1 tsp
   1/2 cup = 8 Tbsp
   1 cup = 16 Tbsp
   1 pint = 2 cups
   1 quart = 4 cups or 2 pints
   1 gallon = 4 quarts
   
   

   
   

Fabric Definitions and Properties

Fabric Definitions and Properties .pdf (requires Adobe Acrobat to read, download it here)