I think I knew this, abstractly

[redbird]

I just dyed two cotton sports bras and a silk shirt in the same dye bath. The bras are now a bright blue, and the shirt is a dark, almost navy blue. If someone had reminded me beforehand that they wouldn't come out the exact same shade, I would have nodded, but I wasn't expecting such a strong difference.

Never mind; it seems to have been an illusion caused by the silk being damper when it came out of the washer. The garments now look very much alike. papersky, you'd like the color.

Comments

[aquaeri.livejournal.com]

I think you're usually more-or-less okay with natural fibres. It's if you dye natural fibres and synthetics that you'll get significant mismatches.

[redbird]

Mismatches aren't an issue here: I use those sports bras by themselves as exercise tops. (If I want them to be inconspicuous under other things, I have two more that are white, for the moment, though I'm considering dyeing one or both of them either green or purple, real soon now.) That's good to know for the future.

[copperwise.livejournal.com]

I'm currently working on a HUGE dye project. I'm really enjoying how the different fabrics pic up the color. The dye I'm using is rated for natural fibers but works on artificial ones but with very different results on each. I love seeing the nylon come out pastel when the silk comes out in jewel tones.