feathers ground

[hvac tech]

hey guys i just received back my feathers from charles jefferson ..they are a extra nice .i will be sending him all my feathers in the future  .all i need now is some suggestions on dying them any help .

[magnus]

You've got a pm.

Keeping the Faith!
Magnus

[stringstretcher]

Thanks Hvac.  All I have ever use is Rit Dye in warm water and then put in cold water with vinegar.  I did some yellow and brown and they came out fine.

[chanumpa]

Ive been using rit as well,and havent had them bleed out yet.A fellow on her told how to do it with coolaid too.I got some but havent tried it yet,but will.It would allow for some more bright colors if it works.It seems to help to put your feathers in a mild solution of water with a bit of dishwashing liquid before you dye them.I think the soap acts as a wetting agent,helping the dye to take better.And the vineager seems to set the dye to keep it from washing out.

[chanumpa]

Oh yeah,you better just boil up your die with the camp stove as I had a slight boil over in the kitchen and a mad wife ,now banned from feather dying in the house,and sleeping with the dog.

[longstiks]

Same as what chanumpa said, but I've done mine with the coolaide. The soaking in soapy water helps the color set better but removes the natural oils that keep them more waterproof naturally. I also added vinegar after soaking for a while and never had any bleeding problems. I use 2 packs at a time for better colors I've only done orange and yellow but both worked well.After dying I rinse off in cold water and lat flat between paper towels to dry.
Denny