We have in several preceding chapters treated of both cotton and silk; we shall here treat of certain processes and colours relative to both these substances, which are most conveniently arranged in this chapter.
The simpler processes for cotton will be found in the second chapter, the more complex in the fifth; the simpler processes for silk are given in the third chapter, the more complex in the fifth; the remaining processes for both in the present chapter, will conclude the work.
To dye skein cotton YELLOW.
The same operations as those in the first common red dye are to be used here; to one pound of cotton four ounces of roche alum, and from one to four pounds of weld.
When dyed the cotton is to be worked in hot, but not boiling, liquor, consisting of four ounces of sulphate of copper to every pound of cotton; it is then to be boiled for three hours in a solution containing four ounces of soap to every pound of cotton.
When a dark or jonquil colour is wanted, no alum is used; of weld take two pounds and a half, very little verdigris, or a little alum in its stead, but nothing else. For brightening, however, boiling in a solution of soap is in all cases necessary.
On dyeing and re-dyeing cotton furniture YELLOW.
If the furniture, such as rough or finished cotton or cambric, intended for yellow linings for bed or window curtains, be in a perfectly bleached state, which is now generally the case, according to the number of the pieces, so must the size of the copper be to boil the weld in for the yellow dye. A small copper holding four or five pails would do for three pieces of twenty eight yards each. The weld may be purchased by the half bundle, the bundle, or the load. Half a bundle would be enough for the above quantity of cotton, if a moderate yellow is wanted. The weld must be increased or decreased according as the pattern approaches a straw, a canary, a lemon, or towards a gold colour or orange.
The weld must be boiled about twenty minutes, the liquor then strained off into a proper tub, and the weld boiled again. While the boilings are going on, three tubs, being wine pipes cut in two, must be got ready and made particularly clean, being also previously seasoned for the work. One is to receive the boiled weld with some cold water to regulate it to the heat which the hand will bear; the other is for water, and as much alum liquor as will colour it and make it taste strong; and the third is to contain clear water to wash the furniture off.
Whatever yellow is in fashion (or indeed any fashionable colour,) has commonly a fashionable name. But if the dyer can, by his experience, proportion his drugs to the weakest, and from that to the strongest shade, let the name be what it may, after he has a set of patterns of his own dyeing, he will see, upon the first sight of any colour, how to set about it.