Dyeing to Dye

Procion MX cold-water reactive dye
Skill level: beginner
6 or 3 hour format
$25.00 supply fee for 6hr class
(1/2 yard pieces of fabric not included)
$12.00 supply fee for 3hr class
(1/4 yard pieces of fabric not included)

Immerse yourself in the glorious world of color and  learn to use Procion MX dyes. It’s easier than you think and you will go home with two beautiful rainbows of fabric, one intensely bright and one pastel.

Students will use Procion MX dyes to dye 1/4 or 1/2 yard pieces of 100% cotton print cloth in plastic bags. We will be dyeing a 12 step rainbow, a pastel rainbow, a three color mix, and trying several texture experiments. Various methods for folding, stitching and patterning fabrics will be taught in the 6 hr class. The process will continue at home where the dye will cure overnight and the students will rinse and dry the fabrics. Students should wear old clothing to all classes....dye and paint are permanent!

Student supplies:

  • Dust mask.
  • Black permanent marker (Sharpie)
  • 20 quart sized zipper closure freezer bags
  • Light colored plastic dish tub to transport baggies
  • 6 oz or larger empty bottle with lid
  • Long rubber gloves that fit well. Exam gloves are not long enough
  • A set of measuring spoons or cups (will never be used for food again.)
  • Rubber bands, needle, scissors, strong thread
  • Clean empty gallon milk bottle with lid
  • 2 clean plastic buckets (1-3 gallon)
  • Paper towels
  • 2 or 3 plastic plates or Styrofoam trays
  • Yogurt tub or other quart container with lid.
  • Fabric: You will need at least nine yards for ¼ yard pieces, a minimum of 18 yards for ½ yd pieces. We will be using Procion dyes so you must choose a cellulose or protein fiber: cotton, viscose rayon, silk or linen.

Make sure there is no permanent press finish and no polyester or other synthetic fiber in your fabric. Do a burn test if you are unsure of your fiber content. A hard melted lump indicates synthetic fibers.White fabrics result in clearer colors than  muslin or beige fabrics. Look for PFD (prepared for dye) fabrics carried by many quilt shops.

Because many fabrics have surface finishes that repel the dye, all non-PFD fabric needs to be washed with detergent in very hot water and dried but doesn’t need to be ironed. Do not add any fabric softener to the rinse or dryer. If a drop of water is quickly absorbed into the fabric you will probably be fine.

I will have mercerized cotton print cloth for sale in class for $3.50 per yard. It takes the dye very well and is a great fabric for quilting or sewing. Please contact me and let me know if you will be ordering fabric from me at least two weeks before class so that I will be sure to have enough on hand.

Please tear fabric into “fat quarters” or ½ yard pieces before coming to class. A “fat quarter” is a ½ yard piece of fabric halved through the short side so that you have a fat rectangle instead of a narrow strip.

To schedule this class contact Lyric.
Click here for Lyric’s teaching and lecture contract.