dyeing & caring

Nature is our inspiration for the subtle changes that we make when colouring our thread. Five different base colours of fibre-reactive dyes are weighed to .01g to create 300 unique recipes, each pertaining to a specific colour. Defined quantities of these secondary colours are meticulously poured onto grey-state thread (our thread is prepared for the dye process at factory source) in a set pattern in order to create an exact colour theme. The colours available in the Perle thread range have been co-ordinated with selected colours from the rayon, silk and 6-strand stranded thread ranges, as well as our silk ribbon range. This allows you, the needleworker, to experience your favourite House of Embroidery colour in various fibres. The same colour will not, however, always look identical on each of the fibres, as the different fibres may react differently to the same dye. Our hand-dyed threads are either dyed in different shades of one colour – from dark to light – or in multi-colours using 3-9 different colours. Although the utmost care is taken to repeat the same formula, each dye batch is never quite like the one before. Slight pattern inconsistencies may occur as a result of our hand-dyed, rather than machine-dyed, process.. Fibre-reactive dyes produce the strongest type of chemical bond, which means that if cared for correctly and preferably dry-cleaned, the product is wash-fast, light-fast and colour-fast. After the dye process the thread is repeatedly rinsed and boiled to remove any excess dye that has not sufficiently bonded with the fibre molecules of the thread. Although every care is taken during this process, red or dark colours should always be tested before stitching. Salt and vinegar are used in the dyeing process and so a salt or vinegar solution may not always set a colour that bleeds. We do not advise adding any substance that could create a chemical reaction with the dye used on the thread, we recommend pure, non-perfumed soap.

testing procedure

Pull a sheet of white paper towel or cloth along a moistened length of thread. Alternatively, press the thread between the folds of a cloth with a steam iron. If any colour shows on the cloth, rinse the thread several times in cool water until all excess colour is removed. If bleeding occurs in an already stitched piece of embroidery, immediately rinse the piece in a large bath of cool to lukewarm water. DO NOT USE SOAP. Repeat this process several times until all excess colour has been removed and the water is clear. Chlorine bleach or lemon-scented detergents should not be used when washing embroidery. Soaps should be mild and not perfumed. DO NOT LEAVE EMBROIDERED WORK TO SOAK. South African water contains chlorine and fluoride, which agitate the dyes.

dye-lot differences

Dye-lot differences should be of no great consequence when stitching with multicoloured threads. The unique interaction of each different colour contributes to the overall effect of a completed embroidery work. In cases where colour consistency is crucial, we advise that you purchase enough thread at the outset of a specific project to complete that project. If, in the middle of a project, it looks likely that you may run out of thread, save some of the old dye-lot and alternate it with a newly purchased one, this will lessen the appearance of any visible dye-lot differences.