Fiber Dyeing for Wet Felting Workshop

I'm so excited to be able to offer the upcoming workshop on wet felting. 

In preparation for it, I needed to wash some suitable fiber and then after consulting
a few friends, decided it would be a good idea to offer some bright colors! 

 My friend Merian, (who generously offered to head the workshop)
 was happy to help with the dyeing. 

I myself have only dabbled in natural dyeing.
This was going to be mostly Kool-Aid dyeing!

How fun and interesting. I knew I would be learning something new...
I'd like to say that I helped, but Merian is a one woman show when she's dyeing! 

I've included pictures of the steps involved with this kind of dyeing.
It made some very vibrant colors..

First the (pre-washed) wool is soaked in warm soapy water.

Add kool-aid packets to gallon size plastic bag.(anywhere from one to 4 or more)

Add a glug of white vinegar(no photo for this), then add some water and make sure all of the powder has dissolved.

Add a couple handfuls of the wet fiber and then pour boiling water into the bag.

Seal the bag and gently turn bag to mix the contents together. Be gentle, you don't want to cause felting. Then let sit so the fiber can soak up the dye. The water will become mostly clear or slightly milky colored when the dye has been absorbed.

Next, take fiber out of bag, squeezing gently, then add to a bath of soapy water to wash out any remaining dye.

Drain and rinse, then squeeze as much liquid out of fiber as possible, remembering to be gentle.

Lay fiber out to dry!  Wonderful colors!!

The batts I've drum carded up so far for the wet felting!