Hand dyeing Explained
Hand dyeing is a profession that requires patience and precision, giving each piece individuality. For us, it's not just about dyeing itself, but about creating colors and nuances that can't be found elsewhere. Each piece of clothing goes through a complex dyeing process in our studio in Vienna, which gives it character and a personal touch. This dedication to handcrafting is part of our understanding of long-lasting, timeless clothing.
Characteristics of Hand dyeing
Unlike machine dyeing, where fabrics are pre-dyed in large quantities and then made into clothing, hand dyeing allows the color to penetrate directly into the finished garment. This process creates subtle differences, especially in places like seams, cuffs, and hems, where the material is often more densely worked and absorbs the color differently.
Appearance
These details give the pieces a special vibrancy and irregularities that underline the handmade character. Combined with the conscious control of time, movement, and temperature, this creates a result that is neither machine-reproducible nor completely predictable - a truly unique garment that bears the dyer's signature.
Before dyeing begins, the focus is on developing the colors. We work with a variety of pigments and try different mixtures to achieve the desired color. This process is a time-consuming act in which we experiment with nuances and intensities. Once developed, each color is tested and refined to achieve a high quality and consistent result. This creates a unique color for each product.
Developing Colors
When it comes to hand dyeing, precision is at the heart of it. Each piece is carefully prepared and goes through several stages of treatment before the material is immersed in the dye bath. We clean it thoroughly to remove any chemicals or contaminants that could affect the color result. Three factors then play the most important role in the dye bath: time, movement, and temperature. Unlike machine processes where these factors are standardized, when hand dyeing we constantly adjust them individually. A few minutes longer or shorter in the dye bath, a slight change in movement, or a slight fluctuation in temperature or a small shift in the pigment ratio – all these details have a significant impact on the final result and give each dyeing its own unique nuance. These small variations result in color nuances and character traits that make the piece vibrant and unique. After the color has reached the desired intensity, we fix it carefully, wash the material, and dry it. This way we ensure that the color not only remains intense but also stands the test of time.
Dyeing Process
