How to Dye Antron Fleece Tutorial

[Melonpool]

I finally bit the bullet yesterday and dyed some Antron Fleece. I had done it years before, but due to my inexperience at the time, I wasn't able to dye enough to actually dye enough at a time to make a whole puppet (just heads and hands).

Anyway, yesterday, I took the plunge again, but looked up dying tutorials online first. And I found these:

Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuDJfmOLwos

Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFh38Xz6nyY

Part 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjlnrv4cOMg

They helped a lot in the process. I pretty much followed his tutorial exaclty, except I used a large 31-gallon Rubbermaid Storage Box (the $16.99 one) and didn't have his nifty hose attachment gizmo to dump the water (I didn't really need it).

The other thing I did -- which worked great -- was after I set the dye with cold water under the faucet, I threw the fleece into my washing machine on the spin cycle for 5 minutes. It squeezed the excess water out perfectly, and didn't damage the fleece at all. I hung it outside on the clothesline for about an hour and it was perfect.

I just thought I'd share this info, because I was super apprehensive about doing this, but it turned out to be much easier than I thought it would be.

 

[Animal31]

I finally bit the bullet yesterday and dyed some Antron Fleece. I had done it years before, but due to my inexperience at the time, I wasn't able to dye enough to actually dye enough at a time to make a whole puppet (just heads and hands).

Anyway, yesterday, I took the plunge again, but looked up dying tutorials online first. And I found these:

Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuDJfmOLwos

Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFh38Xz6nyY

Part 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjlnrv4cOMg

They helped a lot in the process. I pretty much followed his tutorial exaclty, except I used a large 31-gallon Rubbermaid Storage Box (the $16.99 one) and didn't have his nifty hose attachment gizmo to dump the water (I didn't really need it).

The other thing I did -- which worked great -- was after I set the dye with cold water under the faucet, I threw the fleece into my washing machine on the spin cycle for 5 minutes. It squeezed the excess water out perfectly, and didn't damage the fleece at all. I hung it outside on the clothesline for about an hour and it was perfect.

I just thought I'd share this info, because I was super apprehensive about doing this, but it turned out to be much easier than I thought it would be.

Thanks! I need to do some myself. Any tips on matting fur? I did mine in hot water, washed it out and let it air dry. But it seemed like the more I handled it in some spots it began to smooth out again?

 

[Melonpool]

I've never tried that. I've been lucky with most of the fur I've used over the years in that it looked good without having to do too much to it. I may try boiling some of the fur I have for an upcoming puppet, though. I'll write up a tutorial about it if I have any success.

 

[Goochman]

I think I've watched every video Daryl has put on youtube. He's excellent.

 

[davidmartiste]

Funny! It must be the season for dyeing fleece. I just referred to Daryl's videos earlier in the week and dyed my very first antron fleece. I did a dye bath in a 20 gallon all-purpose tub [rubbermaid-type from big box hardware store] with about 10 gallons of hot tap water for 2 yards. I stirred the fabric with a scrap wood 'stick' for about 10 minutes. My 3 gallon bucket stood by about 1/2 full with cool water. After ringing out of the dye bath, I placed in stand-by bucket and let it soak while I carried it outside to the garden house. I was amazed how quickly the excess dye rinses out. I will definitely be using your 'spin cycle' tip next go-round. I wrung it out by hand and let it dry for most of the day. I get a kick out of how impressed I am with myself looking at the completed product. If anyone has fears of 'getting it right' with dyeing fabric - fear not. Get yourself prepared with gloves and know all your steps. It goes quick and easier than you may think.

 

[Melonpool]

One other thing I noticed about my latest batch as compared to the batch I did a few years ago -- no wrinkles! I think the combination of the spin cycle and letting it dry on the line kept all the crazy wrinkling that happened from wringing it out by hand from happening. Here's to happy accidents!

 

[TheCreatureWork]

I've only watched a couple of Stiq's videos. Does he mention to add a small tsp of salt to the boiling water and dye to act as a fixer? If not...add salt as a fixer

 

[Goochman]

I've only watched a couple of Stiq's videos. Does he mention to add a small tsp of salt to the boiling water and dye to act as a fixer? If not...add salt as a fixer

no I don't think he did

 

[Melonpool]

Actually, he dos, He says that he doesn;t use it, I never have, either and it seems to work fine without it.

 

[Adam Kreutinger]

i don't use the salt either. and i just use a paint bucket to dye the fleece in.

~Adam