
Good old "over the counter" dyes like Rit, Tintex and Dylon are under-rated, and under utilized. Don't turn your nose up at them: they are available for ease and safe, aggravation free dyeing! (You should still use some common sense however.) I don't always like messing with Procion, and right now with everything in boxes for the move, and space at a premium, they are more than adequate for my purposes. I did a rough wrap/bind shibori this morning in a strong mix of Tintex's royal blue and black, transforming this scrounged piece from this to this:
I don't wet my fabric first when i'm doing this---for me it seems to give sharper definition, unless it's purely luck. This is more what i'm looking for for the Hoodoo fabrics, some definite striation, some really blended colours and scope for additional stitch to sex up the areas. Beads will further turn up the heat.
This is the wrap/bind technique i used on this piece:

You may or may not get as vivid colouring as Procion, depending on your fabric, but the smoky shades that usually happen with these commercial general purpose dyes are equally as lovely for your stash. It's also a much cheaper way of exploring possibilities, colour combos and techniques, so give it a try! The most i have ever paid for a box of this stuff is 2.49, and that was in a little guy's store who was trying to charge enough to pay the rent in competition to the big boys.
PLEASE--if you are dying fabric for clothing, then check the references at the end of this post, in particular Paula Burch's page, information and tips from a true Dyeing Guru. Since my pieces using these dyes are not either going to be washed again or in direct sun with a lot of wear and tear, i don't worry about it. This is my PERSONAL choice and method; make up your own minds about results and end use longevity.
RIT
Paula Burch
DYLON
Flickr Group----NEW
(Crossposted from my squarespace blog)
Tintex is made by Kiwi Brands Inc, the shoe polish people and seem to have no actual website--the Australian "Tintex" site does not have any affiliation as far as i can see. (If i'm wrong, please correct me.)
PS i haven't posted much here as i am working more at the flower mines, in a summer textile art residency and packing for a move, my apologies. And where are the rest of you posters?????
EDIT: Picasso apparently is being a pain in the ass, so hopefully the photos will come back!
If not, read the post at my squarespace blog.
Sat Jun 20, 04:27:00 PM MDT
EDIT: June 24/09 added the pics back as Picasa doesn't seem interested in helping with my questions