The first step in learning about dyeing cotton is to sort out the various alternatives and techniques. We cannot begin to cover the entire area of cotton fabric dyeing in one Quilting Feature here, but we can begin and give you some places to explore to learn more through many excellent resources on the Web. There is sometimes confusion in the minds of beginning dyers about the variety of products available. We will be discussing dyes in this feature, not pigments or paints. A pigment acts as a paint on canvas and sits on the surface.
Some binders are light and flexible and almost give the illusion of dyeing the fabric.
Other binders can be stiff and rubbery in texture and are clearly a paint on the surface. Pigments are easy to use, may be used on any fiber types, but may not be as permanent nor as washable as a dye. If you are planning to use stamps or blocks to imprint designs, you may wish to use a pigment-paint. If you want to cover large or entire areas of a fabric with color you will want to use a dye. Mike did a lot to teach and encourage the use of these dyes.