The Home Corner

The lady should dye only small things at home; as for large things, it is difficult to dye them at home unless there is room enough. The dyes that use cold water are easy to use, but they are not fast, and the directions for use are always set out on every packet or box of these dyes. As a general rule, cold-water dyeing is used only for dyeing fine things, whereas heavy fabrics are always dyed in hot water only. Dyes are sold in various forms — some in the form of a paste, some as a powder — and the process of dyeing is the same for all of them; it comes down to the following:

1 - All dyes must be mixed with boiling water.

2 - All garments to be dyed must first be washed, then dyed while wet.

3 - Silk or woolen fabrics sometimes need special care and special dyes.

4 - Salt is the essential element that fixes the dye, and it is always used.

5 - The dye must be tried on a scrap of cloth or on old clothing before the piece you wish to dye is put into the mixture.

6 - All pieces must be immersed in the mixture to be dyed, and she should use a stick with which to stir the garments about in the colored solution.

7 - Dyed articles must be ironed while damp (moist).

8 - The lady must follow the instructions written on the back of every packet of dye with complete clarity and the utmost exactness, taking note of whether hot or cold water is to be used; and when buying dyes the lady should make certain that they suit her purpose, for there are kinds of dye that are used only for particular kinds of fabric.