Name: Linda

Message: Do you know what type of cotton is used to get that sueded look? I know the dye process, but I just cannot find out what fabric to use. I have searched for hours looking for sueded cotton but have batted 0. Thanks in advance.

Are you talking about the form of low water immersion dyeing that makes the fabric look like suede to some people, or are you talking about a fabric which can be brushed or distressed to create a suede feel on the fabric?

Assuming that you're talking about the variant on low water immersion dyeing, as described in ProChem's page on The Suede Look using Procion MX Reactive Dyes, the usual fabric to use is a cotton muslin fabric with a relatively loose twist in the component threads. Two specific recommendations I've seen are Roclon 408 muslin and P & B Dyers muslin.

Dharma sells a 60" sandwashed cotton broadcloth which should be perfect, since it already has the sueded feel to it. This would be my first choice.

To increase the softness of your fabric, be sure to use an industrial fabric softener such as Dharma's Milsoft or ProChem's PROsoft K, after you have completed all dyeing steps. Grocery store fabric softener is not as effective, besides containing unwanted perfumes and additives.

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