Name: amanda

Message: I've always loved tie-dye, but have only recently begun to make my own. What is soda ash? What does it look like? Where can I find it in the USA? Tonight I attempted the directions you have on making a peace sign by sewing, I'm waiting anxiously to see how it turned out.

Soda ash looks like a white powder, in a container labeled "soda ash" or "sodium carbonate" or "pH Up" or "pH Increaser". See the page on this subject in my FAQ, "What is soda ash, and what's it for?". You can get soda ash anywhere there's a swimming pool supply store. The FAQ section of my web site contains the answers to many such questions.

You will not be successful in tie-dyeing if you omit the soda ash when using fiber reactive dye; sodium carbonate, or dye activator, is necessary to allow the dye to react with the fabric. If you did in fact use dye activator, and just didn't know it was the same thing as soda ash, then you're in luck, and all should be well.

Don't use all-purpose dye, such as Rit, for tie-dyeing cotton. You will be unsuccessful in tie-dyeing if, instead of fiber reactive dye, you use the cold-water method with all-purpose dye. All-purpose dye requires that you simmer your fabric in a hot dyebath. It's more trouble, but all-purpose dye is only temporary unless you immerse your fabric with the dye in near-boiling water, preferably for half an hour or longer. You should not use your kitchen cooking pots for this heating step, however, because a pot that has been used for dyeing with all-purpose dye should never be used for preparing food. See the instructions for how to tie-dye with all-purpose dye.

Fiber reactive dye is the best type of dye to use for tie-dyeing cotton. One good brand is Procion MX dye, available at most of the dye supply companies listed on my "Sources for Dye Supplies" page.

If the tie-dyeing project you just completed does not work out, please don't give up. All you have to do is get a good tie-dye kit. You can buy one at any good crafts store—look for a tie-dye kit made by Jacquard, Dylon, Rainbow Rock, or Tulip—or mail-order a tie dye kit from any good dye supplier. Popular US sources for tie dye kits include Grateful Dyes, PRO Chemical & Dye, and Dharma Trading Company. That will give you both high-quality fiber reactive dye, and soda ash to use with it. You also might want to practice with easier designs such as a spiral before tackling the more difficult peace sign design, if your first try doesn't work out. (If it does work, send me a picture!) See How to Dye with Fiber Reactive Dye for more information.

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[Updated June 8, 2008.]