Supplies
Tools
- 1 metal container, enameled or galvanized, large enough to be able to stir without overflowing
- 1 wooden spoon
- 1 rubber apron
- Rubber gloves
- OR 1 washing machine
Materials
- Dye (available at pharmacies, supermarkets, or specialty fabric or craft stores)
- Coarse salt (allows the fabric to absorb the dye)
- Fixer (sometimes recommended)
- Bleach or a special color-removing agent bought at the store, to remove the shirt's previous color, if necessary
Directions
Preparation of clothes for dyeing fabric
- Weigh the article to be dyed to determine the amount of dye needed.
- Make note of the composition of the fabric to determine what sort of dye is most appropriate and to find out whether the fabric can absorb the color or not. What materials won't dye?
- Certain synthetic fibers (particularly acrylic and plyester) don't take dye, unless they're the minority in a mixture of fibers that take dye well (cotton, linen, nylon...). The final result will have a chiné effect (that is, because some of the fibers will dye whereas others won't, creating a mottled, textured finish).
- Sometimes seams are made with thread that won't dye.
- Synthetic blends that are treated to make them wrinkle-resistant (permanent press), nonflammable, etc., won't dye at all. Neither will bathing suits.
- Prepare the article to be dyed: it should be clean, free of all chemical substances (fabric softener, starch, etc.), and, if possible, without any plush on it. In any of these circumstances, the dyeing runs the risk of being uneven.
Preparation of dye for dyeing fabric
- To obtain the desired shade, know that dyeing adds to the color of the fabric instead of covering it.
- A white fabric will have exactly the same color as described on the packet of dye, but a pink fabric dyed blue will result in a lilac color, a yellow fabric dyed purple will result in brown, etc.
- Make sure to always choose a color that is stronger than that of the fabric you're dyeing!
- Sometimes, it's useful to decolorize the fabric before dyeing.
- You can also try your hand at dyeing patterned fabric: for example, a marine fabric with blue and white stripes can be modernized with pink dye that will yield a purple and pink fabric.
- You can mix together several dyes to create your own unique color.
Process of dyeing fabric
- As to the dyeing process itself, refer to the manufacturer's instructions. Generally, you can dye fabric in a washing machine (to clean it, you just need to run one cycle empty) or by hand, hot or cold.
NB: Cold dyeing usually guarantees a strong hold, making it useful for fabrics that will be washed frequently.
- After each dyeing, you should rinse the fabric until the water is clear.
- As a precaution, wash your fabric separately 2 or 3 times after dyeing it.
Video
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