Feather Dye?

[Deadbolt]

Just curious where I could get some or maybe a how-to on coloring your own feathers?

[reddogge]

I used Rit dye concentrate in the bottle from the grocery store.
1. Soak the feathers in soapy water to remove oil.
2. Heat small amount of water with some dye concentrate in a pot on the stove.  Add a little vinegar.
3. Soak the feathers in the dye for anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes.
4. Take feathers out and let dry on paper towels.
5. Rinse excess dye out of feathers when dry to eliminate bleeding.

[longstiks]

Tom,
 I use the same method as reddogge but use coolaid instead of rit and let soak in it for about an hour. Herb Raines has a how to on his site in the sponcer links. Dye away!
Denny

[JRY309]

I have used the Great Northern dye to do some white and turkey barred feathers.They came out great,just followed the instructions on the dye.

[Foxtail]

There is a line of dyes that is specifically formulated for dyeing feathers used by fly tyers, called Veniards. If you do a search on it, you will find a number of fly tying suppliers that carry this product. I have used it with great success. And, it has a very nice range of colours that are more natural and less common.

[Deadbolt]

THANKS for all the info guys!  

Originally posted by reddogge:
5. Rinse excess dye out of feathers when dry to eliminate bleeding.

Just rinse the dry feather under water?

[Deadbolt]

Also where could I find a flor pink (not rose pink) dye?  I can't seemt o find any with any of them companies but I know its out there somewhere LOL.

[reddogge]

Yes, after they dry I rinse them under water a little to get any excess dye out so they won't bleed.  If they come out too light just redye them.

[Deadbolt]

Originally posted by Deadbolt:
Also where could I find a flor pink (not rose pink) dye?  I can't seem to find any with any of them companies but I know its out there somewhere LOL.

bump for this question again...

[Doc Nock]

DB,

Not a source on the flour pink, but to expand your ideas, I've used evertying from regular onion skins, to purple onion skins, leather dye, etc. Red beats, etc. Just add the vinegar. I rinse immediately...vinegar tends to "set" and I like to see if it's dark enough by rinsing... if not, put back in...I also gently heat the water with dye/vinegar and feathers in it...

...only difference I see in above "formula."

[tex-archer]

Could we see some pics of feathers dyed with rit, please.

[reddogge]

The red is Rit concentrate.  The bleeding on the arrow is from not rinsing them after drying the first time.  I fletched them and noticed the bleeding and rinsed them on the arrow.  Rinsing first would prevent that.
 
 

[Deadbolt]

Thanks for the pix and info guys!

[Blake Dustin Adams]

for color recipes from Rit check this out.

http://www.ritdye.com/Color+Recipes.22.lasso

Hopefully it will link if not cut and paste.  There are a number of nearly neon pink colors there check em out.

BDA