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Dying capes

Started by Lochan_load, November 12, 2014, 08:54:25 PM

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Lochan_load

I said in an earlier thread that a mate had given me some capes in with a load of fly tying stuff he'd had for about 40years in his loft, I went in to look properly and turns out there was 17!! 3 were ginger cock and in good nick, the rest were all natural coloured and in need of some tlc so
I decided to dye them.
This is them at the start[attachimg=1]

Lochan_load

I gave them all a soak and a wash in soap powder and rinsed in cold water, amazing the dirt that came off them, then got the worst of the water off them. Prepared the dye baths. Used veniard dye and added vinegar to set the dye, really simple. After that just a case of putting the capes in and giving a low simmer for 10-15 mins. Did most of them in black, 4 in fiery brown and one natural black one in claret. Rinsed them off and squeezed excess water off, then just a case off blow drying with a hair dryer, not much of a job but when you've got 14 to do it becomes a bit of a task!  Anyway this is them after

[attachimg=1]

Lochan_load

Really works well, especially with capes and amazing how much it transforms them, I thought these would still be quite shabby but they look like fresh new capes, shiny and uniform. Really easy. Give it a go, especially if you have capes you never use or don't like the colour of, the black works great and I really like the colour of the fiery brown, nice deep reddy brown. Wee close up to finish, andy

[attachimg=1]

Lochan_load

[attachimg=1]

Wildfisher

That looks like a job well done.  :D

SoldierPmr

I think this should be saved as one of the sticky threads  :D

Fishtales

Nice job. I see four capes though that I wouldn't have died. I have similar ones in my box that are used all the time, when I actually tye flies that is :)
Don't worry, be happy.
Sandy
Carried it in full, then carry it out empty.
http://www.ftscotland.co.uk/

Looking for a webhost? Try http://www.1and1.co.uk/?k_id=2966019

Lochan_load

I was actually thinking about you when I was doing it sandy, I know all your tying gear is about this age! It brings them up great, bit like when a woman gets her hair dyed, Changes the colour  but also brightens it and brings a great shine.

Most important thing is it's really really simple,  give it a bash!!

Fishtales

If I can I prefer natural capes rather than dyed ones. I find the dyed ones tend to get brittle after a while, the skin cracks and disintegrates and the hackles break easily. I have an Iron Blue dyed Chinese cape like that which I use for tails but for the hackle I have a natural Iron Blue Indian cape which has a subtle olive tinge to it that you don't get with dyed capes.
Don't worry, be happy.
Sandy
Carried it in full, then carry it out empty.
http://www.ftscotland.co.uk/

Looking for a webhost? Try http://www.1and1.co.uk/?k_id=2966019

Lochan_load

If you can get them it's great sandy but the expense of decent capes is a bit ridiculous and I've never found a natural black that's as good as a dyed one. This was really just to show that you can make something usable out of tired old capes and like andy says it's a lot easier than is made out sometimes, If you can make a pasta n sauce you can do this!

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