Silk Scarves Revisited

Orange Pink and Yellow Scarf

I recently visited a facility and conducted an activity period where we dyed silk scarves with bleeding tissue, a project that I've shared in the past.  The challenge to working in the space provided was the lack of space.  I love a challenge.

First of all, it was obvious that we'd not be able to set up the Styrofoam board that we usually use as a base for the scarves.  Long story short - I experimented at home and came up with a quick and easy method to dye the scarves using a minimum amount of space.  The trick is to place the scarf on a piece of plastic that's slightly longer and and about two and a half times wider than the scarf.  The scarves, of course, had been soaking beforehand in a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water for about 30 minutes.  This removes the sizing and makes the scarf ready to absorb color.

Once the scarf was in place on the plastic I covered half of the scarf with selected colors of bleeding tissue, the Spectra brand, which is absolutely the best.  The tissue was already cut into squares that were about 3x3 and I used 4 to 5 layers of tissue to provide a rich color.  Next, I folded the other half of the scarf on top of the first half of tissue covered scarf, patted it down, and spritz it with water using a spray bottle.  Finally, I folded the scarf into the plastic, which was actually a piece of drop cloth cut to size, and rolled it up into a sausage shape.  At this point it was a matter of squeezing the plastic enclosed scarf for about a minute to make sure that the color was being absorbed.

Voila!  Once unrolled and dried with a hand held hair dryer the scarf was lovely and ready for the final steps, which include allowing the scarf to rest for 24 hours, and then giving it a final 30 minute vinegar water soak (1/4 cup vinegar to a quart of water) to set the color.  A final clear water rinse and pressing and the scarf is ready to wear. 

Note:  Scarves we use are the 8x54 silk scarves available online from Dharma Trading.  At present they are selling for $2.39 each or $2.24 if you purchase 12 or more.  What a deal!  Spectra bleeding tissue is available online from Dick Blick.  Drop clothes are available in any paint department. 

Final Note:  Make sure you use colors that will bleed well together.  Blue and yellow will create green while red and yellow will create some lovely shades of orange.  Enjoy!