instructions
It’s as easy as 1-2-3
dye smart.
My Dye Smart™ system takes the guesswork out of dyeing, but not the fun and creativity.
5 simple steps.
Step 1
Select your palette.
Browse the 3 palettes of color samples to the right by clicking on these links. Which do you like best? The Old World Palette or the Van Gogh Palette or the Modern Palette? Select the palette that you are most attracted to or contains the colors you plan to dye. Each palette shows samples of hundreds of colors created by using three of my custom dyes available at my online shop. Order the three specific dyes that are needed to create the colors in your chosen palette.
3 Smart palettes.
CLICK Old World Palette
CLICK Modern Palette
CLICK Van Gogh Palette
everything is online.
smart color samples.
Each online smart color sample is identified by a set of numbers, such as COLOR 4+5 and LIGHT, MEDIUM, and DARK options. The numbers refer to the numbers printed on 12 recipe cards available at my online shop. The light, medium, and dark options are created by varying the amount of dye solution used.
12 Recipe cards.
play the cards.
Step 2
Choose the color you want to dye.
From the color samples on the webpage provided for the specific Palette you have chosen, select the color sample you want to dye. Make note of the number combination printed on the smart color sample you have chosen to dye, such as Color 7+10 in the Modern Palette picture here.
The numbers refer to the 12 recipes cards available from my online shop. For instance, if you want to dye Modern Palette Color 7+10, select the recipe cards labeled 7 and 10 from the Modern Palette recipe cards deck.
smart solution.
Step 3
Make Your Dye Solution.
Measure the amounts of powdered dye listed on both recipe cards (4 and 5 to make 4+5) into one large liquid measuring cup.
Dissolve these powdered dyes in 1 cup of boiling water, stirring with small whisk to dissolve dye.
Voila! Gorgeous color. Ready to use.
TOO BRIGHT?
Try Bronze Toner.
The brightness of any color can be toned down with BRONZE TONER.
Make 1 cup of Bronze Toner Solution by dissolving 4.40g Bronze Toner powder in 1 cup of boiling water. Measure a small amount of Bronze Toner Solution into the cup of dye solution you want to tone down.
Smart color samples marked with T1/8, T1/4, T1/2, T1, T2, T4 mean that 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, or 4 teaspoons of Bronze Toner Solution was added to the cup of dye solution.
dye any value, any yardage, anytime.
smart chart.
Step 4
Select a value and yardage.
The samples of each color show the color in light, medium, and dark values. Use Chart A to determine how much dye solution you will need to use for the amount of wool you are planning to dye.
If you want even lighter or darker values, visit the Dyeing 8-Value Swatches page where you will find a chart to help you determine how much dye solution to use in order to achieve a wider range of values.
just the way you want it.
smart application.
Step 5
Choose your dye Application.
Solid, mottled, dipped, spot, value gradations, tonal gradations, shibori, and more! You will find instructions for all different kinds of dye applications under the main menu tab Dyeing Techniques. If you can’t find what you are looking for there, contact me and I will see what I can do to help out. Have fun!
Disclaimer.
Like other household chemicals, acid leveling dyes are regarded as safe when used for their intended purpose following recommended procedures. So read up and be smart! My products and directions are presented in good faith but no warranty either expressed or implied is made, nor results guaranteed. I have no control over the end use of this product and must disclaim any liability for untoward results or accidents.