Occasionally, I get emails or comments from other bloggers asking me about dyeing, what equipment is needed, that sort of thing. This is not a post on "How to Dye". I leave that for the experts. It is about plumbing. The subject that comes up most often is the need for running water, as if it is a requirement. I call it stumbling block, a notion that keeps coming up as to why someone can’t dye. Here’s the skinny..YOU DON’T NEED RUNNING WATER. Got it? Another one I hear is that ‘when we get hooked up to town sewers’…. another thing you don’t need. I haven’t ever had either one. As I’ve mentioned before, I dye in my barn or my garage. Here is my water source.
That’s my summer water source. In the winter, which is anytime after next week, I use a couple of large watering cans, maybe three in a week if I’m doing a lot of dyeing. If you exhaust the dye, and the water is clear, you can use it again….and again…and again.. no problem. Eventually it gets used up. Problem solved. No need to call the plumber.
I am thrilled that I am getting a space in the shop that I can use for dyeing and other stuff. It won’t have running water. The beautiful stainless sink will not have a drain, just a bucket to catch the drips. Nothing more. It will work great.
The thing is, you can dye anywhere, anywhere but your kitchen. It’s just not a great idea. I did that the first time or two. There is way to much to worry about. Kitchens, areas where you prepare food, are not a great place unless you want to stick with Koolaid or food colorings. A garage, the backyard, your porch, any place where you have ventilation and aren’t going to worry about slopping some dye water around is fine. Use comman sense, wash your hands, use dye pots only for dyeing, don’t breathe the dye powders.. follow the rules and have fun.
Here’s an update on my work station.
Hmmmm… an October Friday the 13th…glad that full moon is over.
Comments
13 responses to “dye anywhere but the kitchen”
I lust after your rainbarrel setup. LUST.
And there I was going to get some dyes at Rhinebeck….but all I have is my kitchen in which to dye….will pick your brain while there, ok?
Good progress! And will you have a heat source – for you, I mean. VBG – ya know…when it’s -20, inquiring minds want to know if you’ll be standing out in the barn dyeing.
I did my first dyeing in my kitchen but I won’t do it again. Dale has made me a place in the garage. Not a big place but it’s a table and all my supplies are there so it will work. Now if he’d just hook up that wood stove out there, I’d be all set!
I’ll leave the dyeing to you;-)
Love the set up, however. A Friday the 13th in October sounds lucky to me!
I’ve been contempating a cauldron and a fire pit myself. “Double, double …”
I think I could clear the neighbourhood out in two months.
One incident with red dye powder that got loose was enough to convince me to stay out of the kitchen. Combining food, laundry, and dyeing is too scary for me.
And that is why I stick to KA and FC dyes – primarily solar too. Living with a hazmat guy keeps me safe and our kitchen spotless. One of us really ought to cook more frequently.
Hmmm. I was going to venture into dyeing by dying some sock yarn. But my only heat source is my kitchen stove. Do you have any suggestions? Thx.
I love your water source.
I love your water source.
And i want a water source like that.
Your studio is looking great.
I wouldnt want to use it,The cabinet is so pretty.But hey thats what its for.
Ive been dying with Marigolds only so far.Outside on an old table with a camp stove,And the hose.
Mary Ellen
Thanks for the advice.The dye bug is chomping on me! Love the way the workstation is coming along!
I wouldn’t dye in the bathroom, either, due to toothbrushes, water glasses, etc. I’m a huge fan of spreading a thin layer of damp newspapers on a work bench in a shed, wearing gloves, apron, and a mask, and measuring all the dye powders into prepared canning jars of water to make stock solutions. Stray powder gives me the creeps. When done, roll up the newspapers and put them in a landfill.
One class I took years ago from Michelle W. we had wonderful propane burners with really stable cast iron stands. Did all our work on [covered] picnic tables in a back yard.
I’m also interested to know what your alternative heat source is. I use my kitchen as it’s my only heat source (aside from a large firepit in the backyard). I do have separate utensils and containers and I lay down newspapers everywhere, just to keep it safe.