Dyeing Wool for Birch Trees

Dyeing Wool for Birch Trees, cont'
Read all instructions, including tips, before starting

Day 2: Painting

Prepare the thickened dye mixture.

1. Add 1/8 teaspoon synthrapol to each of the cooled dyes.

2. Add 1 teaspoon of ammonium sulfate. Vinegar cannot be used to set the dyes because the vinegar will react with the thickener. Ammonium Sulfate will set the dye when the wool is steamed.

3. Stir thoroughly.

4. Pour the cooled dissolved dye into the thickener. Mix thoroughly.

Ready to paint.

1. Line your work surface with plastic. Newspaper tends to have folds and wrinkles that will be transferred to your painting. I use thin kitchen garbage bags that are as wide as my counter. They come on a roll so I use only what I need. The double thickness protects the counter. If you are concerned, use sheet plastic because the dye can seep through the perforations between the bags. Be sure the plastic is big enough to cover the area under your wool, the beakers and the messy area in between.

2. Using a thin craft brush, stroke the paint on dry wool. I usually use a piece of wool that is 18" long and 4 swatches wide. See How to Rip Wool for Dyeing.

3. Continue stroking with both colors until you have the pattern you want. Vary the direction you pull the brush. Vary the pressure on the brush to vary the thickness of the lines. Don’t worry about drips. These will hook smoothly into your tree trunk. Twist the brush as you pull it across the wool.

4. Use a 2" brush to dry brush across the surface of the wool. Pour some of the dye mixture on a paper plate. Dip just the tips of the bristles in the dye mixture and lightly drag the brush across the wool. Add more color at one end of the wool. Birch trees often have more color at the base of their trunks. When you cut the wool, each strip will have a darker end.

5. Set the wool aside and let it dry thoroughly, usually overnight or at least for several hours.

When dry, continue with Day 3: Steaming to set the dye. The dye will make the wool stiff. This is just temporary. After the wool is steamed and washed, the wool will feel the same as any other dyed wool.

Revised: 02/03/08.