Sabracron (Cibacron F) and Procion MX dyes

I wasn’t entirely happy with the results from my dye samples with Procion MX, so I posted to the Dyehappy Yahoo! Group asking about it. It turns out that the results are partly due to the colors I used – the mix naturally produces more purples/grays and fewer browns – but it was also mentioned that Procion MX colors have different strike rates, which might impact the final colors.

I was also told that Cibacron F fiber-reactive dyes are somewhat better than Procion MX for many purposes, because:

• Cibacron F is less reactive, meaning dye stock solutions stay good for longer, and dyes have more time to penetrate yarn – this is a disadvantage when dyeing fabrics (which are thinner and typically dye faster), but good for dyeing yarns.
• Cibacron F colors “strike” at the same rate, meaning what you see in the dyestock is (more or less) what you get in the final color. Some of the procion dyes bond faster than others, so the colors will vary over time as you leave it in the dyestock.

The main disadvantages of Cibacron F are its preference for a warmer dyebath (113-150F versus 95-120F for Procion MX) and the limited range of colors – since I’m planning on mixing my own shades, though, I’m not too worried about this.

Two excellent treatises on Cibracron F and Procion MX are here:

Paula Burch’s excellent website on dyes

A 1982 article on Cibacron dyes 

I think I’ll try another batch of samples, this time with Cibacron F – I may very well wind up switching. I ordered the colors delivered 2nd Day Air, so they should be here by Friday (I hope!) – in time to do more dye samples.

Meanwhile, I am debating what to do for my next weaving project. Haven’t thought too much about that – B.’s family is in town this week, so there will probably be minimal time for weaving. I think I will probably concentrate on doing dye samples for now (mostly because I can’t weave with cotton until they’re done), and maybe do up another project in advancing twill.