Kool Aid Dyeing SBS

[ScottP]

Here's all you need:

3 glass dishes
water
vinegar
dishwashing soap
Kool Aid (2 packs unsweetened)
feathers/fur/whatever natural substrate you want (I did some grizzly hen and cock saddles so you can see how they come out a little differently; webbier feathers take the dye a bit easier)





dish #1 (for degreasing) hot water and a few drops of soap; let the feathers soak for about 5 minutes





dish #2 (rinse bath) water, vinegar (couple tablespoons) and a few drops of soap; let the feathers soak for about 5 minutes





dish #3 (dye bath) water, vinegar (couple tablespoons), a few drops of soap and 2 packs of Kool Aid





add feathers and place in the microwave for 2 minutes





ding





pull a feather out, rinse and check for color intensity (wet feathers will appear darker); if it's not what you're looking for, back in the microwave for another 2 minutes





when done, blot dry on paper towel; then finish with a hair drier (if you have a bunch of feathers or if they're little and hard to hold, put them in a nylon stocking and stick the hair drier inside); hen saddle is on the left, cock on the right



used the hen on this Swanson's Bitchin' Bugger








I strongly suggest you do this when your spouse is not around; you will never convince them that you'll be careful and won't make a mess.


Regards,
Scott

[DUBBN]

If I wasn't fishing this weekend I would be trying this. Thanks Scott

[swellcat]

That's a fun project.

I've been messing around with a few other colour sources such as grasses, herbs, onion skins, Osage orange sawdust, turmeric, and for the much-desired purple, gentian violet . . . (though the grape powder would likely get us there, too).

[letumgo]

I love this kind of post. One part mad scientist, one part discovery, with the risk of making a mess = pure fun.

I don't wanna grow up.

Thanks in advance, for getting me in trouble with my wife.

[Smuggler]

This is a brilliant sbs.

[swellcat]

Your food is ready,

said the microwave to the fish.

[chase creek]

"I strongly suggest you do this when your spouse is not around; you will never convince them that you'll be careful and won't make a mess."
Obviously a married man; wise advice.
I experiment a lot with homemade ultra-light alcohol stoves in the kitchen when the wife goes shopping. Would make her very nervous.

I think that's the first SBS I've seen on this subject. Well done, and thank you.

[Roadkill]

I love this kind of post. One part mad scientist, one part discovery, with the risk of making a mess = pure fun.

I don't wanna grow up.

Thanks in advance, for getting me in trouble with my wife.

If you really want to go Mad Scientist I recommend A. K. Best's DYEING and BLEACHING Natural Fly-Tying Materials.

[cassady]

Outstanding SBS. Many thanks.

[letumgo]

Kool Aid Color Reference Sheet:


http://www.thepiper.com/fiberart/koolaid/basic-howto.html
https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thepiper.com%2Ffiberart%2Fkoolaid%2Fdyeingwithkoolaid.pdf