Lumi Co. Inkodye Red 4oz

works well, but at times can be hit or miss.

I read all about how to use this product before ordering, and was all set to go. I did my first experiment today with a smallish piece of white cotton, I placed leaves and cedar foliage bits here and there on top of the dye that goes on clear. I mixed a capful with a capful of water in an old container. Makes the dye last longer, not using as much, as had been suggested. I had taped the cotton piece to a sturdy piece of cardboard, and did everything in the garage so no light would start activating the dye. I forgot the step about putting plastic on the cardboard but it worked fine. I placed it out in the driveway in the sun and WHAM, instant color! I was amazed to see it happen immediately! Meanwhile I put some water on to almost boil, very hot, put that with dish detergent in a plastic wash basin to get ready to rinse, and after five minutes outside, the color on the cotton was a deep red, so I carried it all into the garage with minimal light to stop the process, took off the leaves and bits of foliage, untaped the cloth from the cardboard, and with rubber gloves I took it into the house and washed it thoroughly in the hot water with the dish detergent ( not much is needed) and hung the cotton to dry in the garage out of the light. The gloves are protection from the hot water, not from the dye. I cannot wait to try something larger. I may use this experimental piece to sew onto something as a pretty pocket. The only caution I have is that when you open the bottle, and when using it, it smells like ammonia, not quite as searingly strong but still enough to make me advise one should maybe wear a face mask or just be careful not to breathe it in. I also bought the blue, and after trying that one, I will mix blue and red and hopefully try to get different shades of violet and purple.

I could never get the red to be a deep red. It came out light and just didn't create enough contrast. Same problem with the blue. Maybe they sent me an old bottle since it didn't look the same as the one shown.