See Ann Johnston’s online video conversation
First, I think about how it feels, how it drapes, what the surface looks like, if it frays a lot, how it needles, both by hand and by machine. Then I make sure it will dye well.
- I use Procion dyes, made for natural fibers. I use them because the dye creates a chemical bond with the cotton, very wash and light fast, safe and easy to use.
- I have dyed all the fabric for all my quilts since the 1980s. It didn’t take long for me to find out that not all cottons dye alike. Teaching workshops, I discovered that people were worried they were doing something wrong, but it in most cases, was the fabric they were using. These two are a good example. They show results from two cottons low-water immersion dyed at the same time:
in the same container with the same color poured on them with the same stirring and soda solution
- The fabric on the left cannot be dyed dark colors like navy or black.
