dyeing & caring

Nature is our inspiration for the subtle changes we make when colouring our thread. Five base colours of fibre-reactive dyes are weighed to .01g to create 300 recipes, each pertaining to a specific colour. These secondary colours are meticulously poured onto the thread in a set pattern and a defined quantity to give an exact colour theme. The colours of the Perle thread have been co-ordinated with rayon, silk and 6-strand stranded threads, as well as silk ribbon. However, the same colour will not always look identical on each of the fibres because the different compositions may react differently to the dyes.

Our hand-dyed threads are either dyed in one colour from dark to light, or in multi-colours using 3 - 9 different colours over 30 - 60 cm. Utmost care is taken to repeat the same formula, however, each dye batch is never quite like the one before. Our thread is prepared for the dye process at factory source and is not purchased pre-dyed. Fibre-reactive dyes produce the strongest type of chemical bond, which means that the product is wash-fast, light-fast and colour-fast if dry cleaned. After the dye process the thread is repeatedly rinsed and boiled to remove any dye that has not formed a bond with the fibre molecules of the thread. Although every care is taken in this process, red or dark colours should always be tested before stitching. Salt and vinegar are used in the dyeing process so a salt or vinegar solution may not always set a colour that bleeds. It is not advisable to add any substance that could create a chemical reaction with the dye used on the thread.

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 using 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. Do this 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. South African water contains chlorine and fluoride, which agitate the dyes, so do not leave embroidered work to soak.

dye-lot differences

Dye-lot differences should be of no great consequence when stitching with multicoloured threads as the overall effect in most patterns is created by the interaction of the different colours. In cases where colour consistency is crucial, one is advised to purchase enough thread at the outset to complete the project. If, in the middle of a project, it looks likely that you might run out of thread, save some of the old dye-lot and alternate it with the new.