Batik by Ilonka Karasz. Courtesy Academy Art Shop, New York
Batik by Winold Reiss. Courtesy Academy Art Shop, New York
Therefore, it is better to allow at the very least twenty minutes for the dyeing. An hour is better for a slow color like black. Some colors, such as black, brown and yellow, unite with the fiber of the cloth more slowly than others, so that more time must be allowed for these. Blue dyes very quickly and easily, but must be given time to set in the fiber to become thoroughly permanent. These time suggestions are for the “Bateeko Dyes” in powder form.
There is also a great difference in materials used, as to the rapidity with which they will absorb the dye. Wool and silk absorb the dye easily and quickly, cotton, linen and hemp much more slowly. Therefore, the time allowed for dyeing must be increased to get deep colors in cotton, linen and hemp.
The closeness of the weave and the hardness of the twill must also be considered. A very loose porous silk or cotton crepe will dye in a few minutes, while a firm muslin will require perhaps half an hour to an hour to produce a strong fast color.
The material should be free from starch or sizing of any kind before it is put into the dye.
After the goods has been stirred in the bath for five to ten minutes, more dye can be added if necessary. Be sure to remove the material from the dye bath before adding more dye. As color always seems darker when it is wet, it is difficult to tell exactly when you have as deep a color as you desire, but holding the material up to the light gives a fairly good idea of the way the color will look when dry. To get a deep shade of a special color it is always better to work up to the color desired by steps, that is, to dye a light tone of the color desired, examine this and if it is the desired shade continue until the desired depth of color is reached.