pH Changes in the Dye Bath

This is where I spent the majority of my time. I was completely amazed at the range of color that was produced from simply shifting the pH level of the dye bath to more acidic or alkali.

The Dyes Tested:

Pomegranate

Madder

Osage Orange

Annoto

Brazil Wood

Log Wood

Cutch

Myrobalan

Tannin

pH Shifters Used:

Lemon Juice (pH 3)

Cream of Tarter (pH 3-4)

Baking Soda (pH 8)

Soda Ash (pH 11)

Lye (pH 12-14)

I tested different combination from the listed above on three different fibers.

Bamboo Fleece (Cellulose)

Organic Cotton (Cellulose)

Silk (Protein)

I wanted to see the different affects each combination would have on the different fibers. I also wanted to see how far I could push the protein fibers on the pH scale before they would fall apart. They held up okay till the lye. I did this one with gloves, goggles, and under a fume hood.