Continuing my special presentation of articles submitted by my guest bloggers.
Playing with Spray-On Fabric Dyes
by guest blogger Christine Predd (originally published 15 June 2009)
Several days ago I purchased some spray on fabric dyes at Hobby Lobby . . . I think they were sold for tie-dye projects, althogh I was planning to use them to dye some fabric for my art quilts. I live in a ranch style condo and only have a small patio, not a lot of room for serious fabric dyeing. This sounded perfect for my situation. I only bought the primary colors, hoping to create new colors as I used them.
The sun was shining today so I decided to get started. I cut two pieces of PDF fabric, 22 inches square or so. After laying one piece on a drop cloth on the patio, I proceeded to use some photo matting as my stencil and begin spraying on dyes in different places with the matting in different position. See the photos below.
I started with the yellow dye, then went to trying the blue dye. I kept changing the matt directions and colors as I went along.
After doing this for several times I ended up with the final piece you see here.
I like the distinct edges and the overlapping shapes. I did this piece without using water at all, only the dyes.
Next, I decided to take another piece of PFD cotton and first spray it with water then randoming spray on the dyes. I also added extra water then held up the fabric to allow it to drip down through the colors and create different effects. I call this piece the watercolor effect. Such a different image now……..no distinct edges, and a lot of color blending occurred.
I plan to use each of these pieces in an art quilt at some point, but I’m not sure just how yet. I may do more surface design, such as stamping or photo transfer on them before I decide. The dyes were set with a hot iron, they can also be set by putting the fabric in the dryer. I have dyes left over……….so I think there may be more experiments in store for me! Try it!
About Christine
Christine Predd has been quilting since 1986, and began art quilting in 2001. She lives in Indiana half the year, and on Anna Maria Island in Florida the other half. Her blog “Quilting on the Edge” can be viewed at http://www.christinepredd.com, where she writes regular commentary on her creative experiences, and sometimes makes small quilts to accompany her writings.
I'm Linda Matthews and welcome to my website. As a textile artist I love to experiment with all sorts of different textile and art quilting techniques; and as I teacher I love to share. I hope you enjoy my website. 
Very cool idea and wonderful pieces of cloth, Chris! An easy quick way to dye.
thanks, Katharine…….it’s easy to do at the spur of the moment too!
Great idea Chris. I like the way the colors are transparent and overlap – very interesting.
This is fascinating! I have coupons and hope to head over to Hobby Lobby to look for some spray dye today. Thanks for sharing this technique Chris. I see lots of possibilities here!
thanks Linda and Katy. It is sold in the section with fabric paints and tie dye kits at Hobby Lobby.
I just tried with neocolors of Caran d’Ache, intersting effects, thanks
do you have a blog, Marie? If so, send your link and post your results on your blog so we can see what you did. thanks!
We don’t have Hobby Lobby here, only AC Moore and Michael’s. Do you think I can get the spray dyes at either of these places? What brand of paint are they?
I absolutely LOVE both pieces, but really connected with the second piece.
Thank you so much for this new inspiration!!!
Wow, the fabrics are beautiful! Could you give the
brand name of the spray on dyes? We do not have Hobby Lobby here in Canada, but we do have Michael’s…I am a rug hooker and would love to see if these work on protein fibres like the wool I use for hooking..I love that they are set with the dryer or an iron as opposed to setting them with vinegar or a mordant and baking in the oven as my dyes require…great effects, just lovely! Thanks so much,Debbe
Thanks for looking at this post, Debbe and Eileen.
The label on the bottle is
S E I Tumble Dye………made in USA
website is http://www.shopsei.com
phone 800- 333-3279
Hope you can find them…….they were in the section that sells supplies for tyedyeing shirts and where other fabric paints were sold. good luck!
Chris Predd