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Dyeing wiggly roving.

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 6:16 pm
by Haylum
I've bought some undyed roving and want to make wiggly transitional dreads using the machine felting method. So far I've made two tester dreads without dyeing them and the texture is perfect.

I'm waiting for my Jacquard acid dyes to be delivered before I can try out making them into transitionals. I know I shouldn't machine them after I've dyed them with more than one colour or the colours may run, but will the dyeing process ruin the wiggly texture? My colours are pink and black so I'm considering dyeing the unfelted wool completely pink, machine felting then dyeing the tips black, but I'd prefer to do all of the dyeing last if possible.

Any help appreciated!

Re: Dyeing wiggly roving.

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 6:19 pm
by rivetlicker_
I guess when you throw them into the machine, braid them and keep them braided until after you dye the tips? I'm sure the dye will take, wool is pretty absorbant.

Re: Dyeing wiggly roving.

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 6:33 pm
by Haylum
The method I'm using to felt is to palm roll the dry wool then stick it in the machine in a tied pillow case, but braiding could be a good solution.

I might try boiling my two tester dreads later to see what happens to the texture first.

Re: Dyeing wiggly roving.

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:18 pm
by MrsEss
As long as they're dyed properly the colours won't run as they're colour fast.

I made a ding roving tute, it's over on Diversity hair's website.

Re: Dyeing wiggly roving.

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 11:44 am
by Haylum
I'd better do a good job then. Thanks!

Re: Dyeing wiggly roving.

Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 3:24 am
by VixenSingsBlack
Dying afterward should not effect the texture of the dreads. I've done it plenty, and it never changed any texture for me. Remember there isn't much agitation when the dreads are in the dye, so no change in the texture should happen.

Re: Dyeing wiggly roving.

Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 1:48 pm
by Haylum
I did try boiling my tester dreads for an hour and the texture stayed the same, so I'm going to machine all of them first and then dye the lot in two goes. I'm concerned about dyeing the raw wool in case it starts felting in the pan as I don't have any pans that are big enough to dye more than about 50-100g at a time. If I felt the wool first I don't have to worry about cramming more in the pan :D

Thanks again, dudettes.

Re: Dyeing wiggly roving.

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:06 am
by VixenSingsBlack
Haylum wrote:I did try boiling my tester dreads for an hour and the texture stayed the same, so I'm going to machine all of them first and then dye the lot in two goes. I'm concerned about dyeing the raw wool in case it starts felting in the pan as I don't have any pans that are big enough to dye more than about 50-100g at a time. If I felt the wool first I don't have to worry about cramming more in the pan :D

Thanks again, dudettes.
How'd it go?

Re: Dyeing wiggly roving.

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 3:54 pm
by Haylum
Perfectly!

I'll post a show off soon :D