Message: Paula, I have a project that has come into the studios, that requires the dyeing of several ribbons that are appox 12" wide x 18" long. These ribbons are striped in certain colors and like the ribbons awarded service persons (police or military). The material we have are looking to use is a Kravet Moire 52% cotton 48% poly. I have about 12 of these to do. We are designing the 12" bronze medals that hang under the ribbons. Can you do a projest like this or recommend someone.

Cotton and polyester is a difficult combination to dye, but not impossible. The cotton and the polyester require completely different dyes; both the cotton and the polyester must be dyed, if you want a dark or intense color. Polyester can be dyed by boiling it with disperse dye, such as the PRO Transperse Disperse Dyes sold by PRO Chemical & Dye, or the iDye Poly made by Jacquard Products. Will the cotton shrink and be distorted by the boiling? If so, you will not want to have these ribbons dyed.

An alternative is to use a fabric paint, such as Dharma Trading Company's Dharma Pigment Dyes, or Jacquard Products' Dye-na-Flow. However, you will not be able to get a perfectly smooth solid color by using fabric paints. A commercial textile printing service would produce better results.

If you will be satisfied with pastel colors, then you can get away with dyeing only the 52% of the fiber blend that is cotton. This can be done using cool water fiber reactive dyes, such as Procion MX dye.

I am not available to do this project for you. You may be able to find someone who will by contacting people listed on my page of "Where can I find someone to dye my clothing for me?".

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