Fundamentals of Textile Design 3(2+1)

Lesson 28: Dyeing Methods

Piece dyeing

Dyeing constructed fabrics is called piece dyeing. The textile manufacturer can dye the whole fabric in batches according to the fashion demands of the time thus avoiding wastage and loss. The great bulk of dyed fabric on the market is dyed in the piece. There are several common methods of piece dyeing. Specific names such as union, cross, tone-on-tone, and reserve dyeing are given to piece dyeing of fabrics containing fibers that exhibit different dyeing characteristics.

• Union dyeing:A fabric containing fibers that accept dyes from different classes are dyed by this method, with a result that the fabric is dyed in a solid colour. The fabrics can be either blends of two fibers, such as cotton and polyester – or mixtures in which the warp yarns are made of one type and filling of another. The dyeing process includes one bath or two bath methods. By using the blend in various ratios or by randomly using different yarns in weaving sequence good designs can be obtained.
• Cross Dyeing: In cross dyeing, a multicolored fabric is obtained. Fabric containing two or more fibers types is purposely dyed so that each fiber type or variant accepts a different type of dye and becomes a different colour. Fabrics may be composed of
  • Fibers from different generic group,
  • Natural and manufactured fibers, or
  • Manufactured fibers from the same generic group when one fiber has been modified to accept dyes from a different dye class. The end product depends on the fiber arrangement in the fabric.
• Garment dyeing Dye when applied to finished products such as apparels and garments, it is called garment dyeing. This helps the dyer to meet the demands of fashion colours on time and does not require to stock huge amounts of dyed fabrics.