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labricoleuseIt doesn't matter if you are using non-toxic household (or "union") dyes like Rit--you need to protect yourself and your shop from airborne dye particles! If OSHA regulations don't motivate you or the fear of health damage to your respiratory system, consider your product. Airborne dyestuff will leave spots on damp fabric sometimes even days after you measured out the powder.
Most of us who are independent artisans or theatre artists cannot afford high-tech particulate-protection equipment like airtight laboratory-quality glove boxes, so i present to you a quick overview of the next best thing: home-made dyeboxes.
Scrap-Crap Dyebox
This is a fairly ghetto dyebox, but don't knock it! It's extremely economical, functional, and way better than nothing. Take a roughly-square cardboard box and cut off two sides with a utility knife. Line the bottom with sheets of newsprint or packing paper cut to fit. Voila! That's it. To measure out some dyestuff, first spray the interior of the box and paper lining with a quick spritz of water (this will "grab" most airborne dyestuff), then place your container inside and do your bidness. You may choose to improve upon this design by mummifying the interior of the box with clear packing tape to make the cardboard water-resistant, and/or creating a transparent "lid" with plastic wrap or thin clear vinyl.
- = < > = -
Carp's Dyebox
This is a more professional dyebox, made by the folks in my scene shop in a favor-trade. It has four wood sides, a hinged plexiglass lid, and a plexi "lip" across the lower 1/3 of the front. It measures 15"w x 15"h x 12"d (dimensions determined by the size of the shelf i needed it to fit on and the height of my largest dye containers), and is quickly assembled with a handful of screws. This type of box can be knocked together in an afternoon by anyone with some basic carpentry skills.
These are my two dyeboxes at my present studio--i'd love to see photos of others' solutions to this equipment issue!
And, an unrelated blog recommendation: print & pattern, which features a lot of inspiring imagery for potential silkscreens, blockprints, and other textile surface-design projects. Check it out!
Most of us who are independent artisans or theatre artists cannot afford high-tech particulate-protection equipment like airtight laboratory-quality glove boxes, so i present to you a quick overview of the next best thing: home-made dyeboxes.
This is a fairly ghetto dyebox, but don't knock it! It's extremely economical, functional, and way better than nothing. Take a roughly-square cardboard box and cut off two sides with a utility knife. Line the bottom with sheets of newsprint or packing paper cut to fit. Voila! That's it. To measure out some dyestuff, first spray the interior of the box and paper lining with a quick spritz of water (this will "grab" most airborne dyestuff), then place your container inside and do your bidness. You may choose to improve upon this design by mummifying the interior of the box with clear packing tape to make the cardboard water-resistant, and/or creating a transparent "lid" with plastic wrap or thin clear vinyl.
Carp's Dyebox
This is a more professional dyebox, made by the folks in my scene shop in a favor-trade. It has four wood sides, a hinged plexiglass lid, and a plexi "lip" across the lower 1/3 of the front. It measures 15"w x 15"h x 12"d (dimensions determined by the size of the shelf i needed it to fit on and the height of my largest dye containers), and is quickly assembled with a handful of screws. This type of box can be knocked together in an afternoon by anyone with some basic carpentry skills.
These are my two dyeboxes at my present studio--i'd love to see photos of others' solutions to this equipment issue!
And, an unrelated blog recommendation: print & pattern, which features a lot of inspiring imagery for potential silkscreens, blockprints, and other textile surface-design projects. Check it out!
