Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-08-09
THE HOME pYEINo OF WHITE
GOODS


ers herself capable OF dyeing fabrics
at home, and her general knowledge
OF the subject is more or less hay.
II 10 true that there is a slight pos
sibtltty OF spelling materials IL less
than ordinary care is given 10 the
dyetng, but even an amateur would
be likely to obtain splendid results
through the more simple methods OF
dipping or dyeing. A few Of these
methods are given in order to faCfli-
tate their use in the home
In recent years crepe paper ks
found a new role Of usefulness, name
ly: As a quick and inexpensive dye
small pieces OF this paper, OF a SINH
Lar shade TO the one desired, are
added to the rinsing water, and waists
and hosiery dipped in. This color
ing is not very lasting, but for quick
work II is quite satisfactory. Silks
colored by this method look very well,
but for cotton fabrics it is not so good,
as the afrInlry" or cotton tor coIuI.
ing matters is generally feebler than
that OF silk or wooden. and as the
color in the crepe paper in itself is
not lasting dye, it could not be ex-
pected to work as we'll on cottons.
Diamond dyes have been on the
market for years, and are very de-
pendable, especially for wool dyeing
Full directions for their use are print
ed on every package. White wool
AJrge and gabardines take these dyes
beautifully. Broadcloths and flannels
do not dye so we'll, as in the very hot
water required to dye them they
harden and shrink. Cotton materials
can be dyed at a much lower tenn
perature, often at about go to 100
f., and very frequently in cold dye.
Materials Of a decided color to be
redyed should be given to professional
dyers, as they know the shades that
viii, or will not, take certain colors,
and what action the chemicals in the
dyes have upon fabrics that have been
coiored before. Cotton bears contact
with alkalies much better than silks
or woolens, although it in return is
more readily injured by strong acid
solutions.
For silks and chiffons, also for nets,
the dry dye method is very satisfac-
tory. This method is very simple and
OF almost certain success. Regular
artist oil paint is used, diluted with
gasoline. For dyeing small pieces a
wash bowl is a good container, and the
dye VIII not stain it. To a glass
about half full of gasoline add enough
Of the oil paint to produce a deep
shade Of the color desired. See that
1t Is thoroughly mixed with the gas
oline. Into the basin pour enough
gasoline to more than cover the ar
ticles TO be dyed. Rinse the materials
in 1t, then wiring them out BY damp.
ening the fabric first, the danger of
uneven coloring will be eliminated.
After removing the goods from the
basin. add the dyestuff little by little,
occasionally testing with small strips
Of cloth until the desired shade is
procured. Souse the material up and
down In the mixture taking care that
every bit Of the texture comes in d.
rect contact with the dye. If by an
unfortunate chance a mistake has
been made and the color is too dense,
immediate rinsing In clean gasoline
will lessen the intensity of the dye.
After the materials have been re-
moved from the basin they should
be shaken until almost dry before
hanging out in the open; this will
prevent checking or streaking. AS
soon as they are dry, the pieces
should be pressed with a moderately
hot iron. This will cook the color
and render il more permanent. This
method should not be used for dyeing
any materials that are to be tubbed.
1t does not penetrate into the fiber
of the textile, but merely paints"
1t.
For washable silks a very popular
coloring matter is the new iTintex
preparation. The tints are mostly in
the soft pastels shades. These dyes
are dissolved In the rinse water, and
are excellent for use in restoring col.
ors that have become faded from
washing and exposure to the rays OF
the sun.
In dyeing materials that are not
new, the necessity Of having them
free from grease or dust cannot be
overestimated. Even II the garments
appear perfectly clean, hanging them
in a wardrobe together With street
clothes would more than likely trans
fer dust ana grease spots to them.
and these soiled spots will not take
the dye evenly, and would possibly
cause streaking. Emphasis must also
be made upon the thorough rinsing
! Of clothes after washing, as soap
atoms will also tend to spoil the dye.
For the women interested in the