dyeing straight edges

[dai malbrook]

I'm finally getting around to a project i've been planning and i need to dye some areas that have straight edges.

I've tried a few test pieces and i can never seem to get a straight line. The colour keeps bleeding, making the line uneven. Is there a trick to getting straight lines when using dyes?

Edited August 23, 2008 by dai malbrook

[Rawhide]

Not sure what you're trying to do, but sounds like you're trying to dye the grain side near the edge of a piece, not the edges. If this is the case I'm not sure if it can be done effectively without using either a dry brush technique, an airbrush, or using a border to separate the grain and keep the dye from running.

Try masking the area you don't want dyed with blue or purple painters masking tape. Then when you get your dye on the brush, remove as much excess dye as you can on some absorbent paper til the brush is almost dry. Then dye your edges in several passes to get the darkness you desire. BE SURE TO TRY THIS ON SCRAP FIRST.

Marlon

[TwinOaks]

There's also the liquid latex method, but I don't know if that would keep the dye from wicking through the fibers. However, it is good for blocking irregularly shaped areas.

[dai malbrook]

Reading back over it, i guess my question was a bit ambiguous. Basically i want to dye some geometric patterns (like the picture below) in the center of a piece of leather. I need the edges of the blue and red regions to be sharp. But my tests on scraps have been unable to get a straight line at the edge of the shapes. The dye keeps bleeding out making the edges are blurry.

I tried using tape to mask out the region. I'm not sure it was painters tape - i don't know if that matters. I'll try wiping most of the dye off and see if that helps.

[BradB]

Reading back over it, i guess my question was a bit ambiguous. Basically i want to dye some geometric patterns (like the picture below) in the center of a piece of leather. I need the edges of the blue and red regions to be sharp. But my tests on scraps have been unable to get a straight line at the edge of the shapes. The dye keeps bleeding out making the edges are blurry.

I tried using tape to mask out the region. I'm not sure it was painters tape - i don't know if that matters. I'll try wiping most of the dye off and see if that helps.

I think your best bet might be paint with a finish over the top. If this is going to be on something that will not be bending allot that may be your best choice to get crisp, clean lines like you want.