Dipping Resist Pieces

Q: Any best practices for dipping pieces with resist patterns on them?

A: Yes, here are a few:

Be very careful when dyeing and removing your pieces from the vat as any drips will begin to weaken the vat. Remove your pieces very slowly and that will minimize.

Make sure you soak your goods in cold water with a drop or two of synthropol (which helps with dye penetration) so they are nice and saturated before they go in the vat. This will allow for even dye uptake.

If you are using wax resist make sure your vat is cool enough so the wax won’t melt when you dip.

Make your vat in as tall and skinny of a container as possible so you can fully submerge your piece without it getting in the sediment.

Set your pieces onto little wire rings that fit inside your container. (i just make mine with moldable wire from the hardware store, often used for clothesline) and dip them so they never touch themselves. Always fully wet your waxed pieces in cold water with a drop or two of synthropol (which helps with dye penetration) prior to their entry into the vat. Here's a video of an impromptu ring that I made. https://www.instagram.com/p/BKq390-DAC1/?taken-by=yesgraham