What is the best dye to use in making Batik cotton fabric for use in children's clothing? Safest, less likely to bleed, etc. Using 100% cotton. Thank you.

Use Procion MX dye. It is a cool water fiber reactive dye that can be used in water as low as 70°F, and it is among the most permanent of all dye types on cotton, which makes it very safe for use on baby clothes. Procion MX is easily fixed using soda ash (a common ingredient in laundry detergents, but you need to buy the pure stuff). It is available in wide range of different colors.

Do NOT use all-purpose dye, because it is a hot water dye, and the hot water will melt the wax used in batik, plus it tends to bleed badly in the laundry.

Some very good crafts stores sell Jacquard brand Procion MX dye, but you will get the best prices if you mail order it in jars of two ounces or larger from a dye supplier such as Colorado Wholesale Dyes, PRO Chemical & Dye, or Dharma Trading Company.

See "How to Batik" for more information.

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