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Can matt emulsion be used to dye fabric?

Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
in Tools and techniques
Calling on crafty types. Can I dilute black , matt emulsion to use as a dye for polycotton sheeting?
I don't need it to be totally even, a bit blotchy would be fine .
Devon.
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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Our opinion is that it wouldn’t work. If you dilute it you dilute the fixative … it wouldn’t really ‘take’

    Really the quickest and easiest method is a pot of Dylon … you  can use it in a washing machine providing you follow the instructions. 

    Poly cotton doesn’t take a dye as well as pure cotton, but you’ve said yiu don’t mind that. 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I tried Dylon and it didn't "take "
    Given that paint marks your clothes when decorating and doesn't wash out, so I was thinking it might work
    Devon.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    No it won't work I'm afraid.
    Emulsion is a suspension of pigment particles and lots of others particles in a liquid, so it's that that give the colour and the liquid evaporates as it dries - even at a low dilution at best your sheets would be a bit like sandpaper - maybe a useful exfoliant though :)
    And the bits would wash out in no time anyway.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    the "sheets" aren't to be used as bedlinen, but as wall hangings
    Devon.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited January 2022
    As I said, polycotton doesn’t take dye well. It might be better to do a second session with Dylon, or even double strength and longer. It’s years since I’ve used Dylon but I used to use it a lot. 

    OH (who understands these things better than I) says diluting the emulsion would dilute the carrier that holds the pigment and also dilute the pigment so it’ll just be a watery grey … and we don’t think polycotton will absorb that. 

    You could paint it on undiluted, but that’d be like a painted canvas … quite stiff when it dries. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    Unless you specifically want to use that piece of fabric you can buy black cotton fabric Hostafan. The sort I'm thinking of is used for curtain lining. 
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I've got , somewhat faded , polycotton, and I've got black emulsion, just thought I could put the two together.
    Devon.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    GO for it! :)

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Are you planning to do this in the bath?  In the washing machine?

    Not a good plan in either case cos of gumming up teh works.

    Just try a double or triple dose of Dylon and a machine wash with salt to fix it.   or maybe just paint the wall and forget the fabric.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    The plan is to use and old dustbin to soak them 
    Devon.
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