Skein Dying Methods

Hand dying threads, yarns and fabrics

I purchase my threads in bulk from overseas and wind them into skeins in my own home based workshop.

All dyers have their own distinct style

I chose to use either two or three colours in each skein and to have a short repeat of each colour so that when the thread is being used the colour changes frequently and new colours are created by the combination of those painted on.

I use a paintbrush to paint the colour on to each individual skein (hence the term hand painted threads). The threads are then heated to fix the colour; followed by lots of rinsing. The temperature is taken from cold through to very hot and then back to cold again. I add a specially designed detergent in the last rinse to ensure that all possible excess dye has gone.

Currently in the Gallery section of this website i have a selection of Canvaswork, Silk Paper, Fabric Sandwich Work and XpandaPrint, which is a new way of adding instant texture to your embroidery work.