Sharpie Dyed Feathers

WesternFlys.com
Sometimes you need a color you don't have. Last year in an emergency I came up with a solution for just such an emergency when I needed some blue intruder wings. Also a great solution stream side.

[@seanmooney3907]

For a few feathers this works However, dye works best on wet cleaned feathers. Not rinsed. Just washed in soapy (dawn works best) water and transferred from the soapy water to the pot to be dyed in (stainless steel). Great idea, I have done the sharpie on one or two feathers. If it catches fish for a day, put the dried fly on the bench and color again. Lucky to have to repeat, means the fly didn't get lost. All the best, Sean

[@kenmartin1211]

Nice content.. I started dying feathers when I picked up two beautiful White Bronze Whiting Saddles. Knowing I was never going to use that amount of white hackle I experimented.
My end process after a few failures is Warm water with a few drops of dawn dish washing liquid then rinse with warm water. Then dip all feathers in warm water with one cap full of white vinegar. I use all Rit powder dyes.. This process allows you to do a cape/saddle or just a few feathers. I started with one box of every Rit color dye they sell, its cheap and just mix a little until I get my color (Once I accomplish a color I log it in a book ) and soak them for 30 min to 1 hour depending on amount. Once they are colored I rinse them with warm water and dry on terry cloth rags.. A few people have told me I was going about this all wrong yet I have not changed my process.. No difference in mine or dyed hackle purchased.. We all know Hackle is expensive and getting deals on off colors for dying allows for good deals...Thank You..

[@Jester62D]

I've tried the sharpie with less than favorable results. The sharpie color transfers to my fingers as I'm tying on the hackle. I'm actually experimenting now with different methods. My test with food coloring worked. Wash in Dawn. 2Tbsp white vinegar w/ 1c boiling water. Add food coloring. Let sit 5 min. Cold rinse. Reheat colored water in microwave. Resoak hackle 5 min. Cold rinse. Deep dark color w/o color transfer to towel (red). BWO grey & black will be the challenge ! I'm still looking for a marker w/ correct chemistry that cn be directly applied. More later. Thx for sharing.

[@buckfifty3470]

Thanks for sharing. Quick-n-easy. I've used oil based paint pens w/great results.

[@dreamsofvamp]

Thank you VERY much! That was a huge help and worked perfectly!!

[@aljacobson9525]

Great idea. Have you tried just wiping them down with vinegar to fix the color? I dye materials and have used markers on bucktail for striping. Any thoughts on fixing the color?

[@brianwetter4898]

Great idea!

[@stephenwelham]

Try using Artline 90 high performance permanent marker's I use these on pike file's they are excellent and last longer than Sharpies are not permanent enough or durable they are a very cheap alternative hope this help's

[@BlackCat_2]

Very neat. I found this video because I am looking to color some white feathers. My neighbors have a white rooster that roams as he pleases. I don't mind because I think he is cute but also he leaves his feathers everywhere including my front yard. :)

[@FormallyMythixal]

That's very creative!

[@ResidentEvilReVerseUniverse]

Very good

[@kellytwist4058]

Hi would you be willing to sell some of your capes?

[@mauricebrown9094]

If you have to many and there in your way you could toss me one , or even sell me a couple ????? and gee where are in the same state too

[@amandapayne8791]

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