Fabric Dyeing Questions

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April Questions

I'm wondering if it's possible to dye a white tweed couch? The couch has slipcovers which are removable for washing, but do you think it's possible to take them off and dye them? It's the perfect couch for our space, and we love it...but a white couch with three dogs is just too tiring. We'd like to dye it a nice esspresso-y brown color, but we're apprehensive to try. Is it something we could have done somewhere, or even possibly do ourselves? Is it even an option? We love our couch and would hate to have to part with it. Please help!
Hi Kelly,
It all depends on the fiber content of the slipcovers. Please read my article on fabric dyeing at www.fabrics.net/dizzylettuce.asp. This will give you the basic info. If you want to proceed, contact Sherry at www.fabricdyeing.com.
best,
Jennifer

I have a pair of shoes that I had for a wedding. The material is satin and was originally white. The shoes have been dyed celadon to match the bridesmaid's dress. They are a sandal type of shoe with 3 straps over the top of the foot with rhinestones across the straps. I now would like to dye the shoes black so I can where them more often. What dye should I use and where can I get the dye from? How do I dye the shoe around the rhinestones? Thank you for your time in advance.
Jaime
Hi Jaime,
I believe that your shoes can be overdyed to black. You will need to take these to a full-service shoe repair establishment that dyes fabric shoes.
best,
Jennifer

I received a white comforter when I bought a new bed. White is not my color nor would it stay that way very long. The outer shell is 50% cotton and back 100% cotton. The idea is to dye it a medium to light color. From what I saw in your column it would be hard to achieve a dark color with the polyester content. What would be your recommendation?
my recommendation would be to make a duvet & put the comforter inside it. You can make one out of two flat sheets or a length of fabric. close up the end with buttons, hook & pile (velcro), or ribbon ties.
best,
Jennifer

I bought a love seat and chair with off white cotton covers. The tags on the coves said that they were washable, but when I washed them (using cold water and Tide) they came out with bright white splotches on them. Can I dye them a darker color without having the light spots show through?
Thanks,
Farron
Hi Farron,
It sounds like you have some fabric that is unstable or perhaps you used Tide with bleach? I don't know what happened, but I think I would take these back. If they say machine-washable, they should be washable without incident. I wouldn't try to redye them.
best,
Jennifer

I am looking for high quality organic fabric dyes for dying small quantities of cotton knit. Must be color and wash fast. Can you recommend a resource for such dyes?
Hi Julie,
you are going to need to do some research to determine what "organic" dye means to you. The best source of fabric dyes is Dharma Trading Co. (www.dharmatrading.com). They can assist you with info to meet your criteria. I use the reactive dyes from Dharma, which are low in toxicity & easy to use. Extremely light & colorfast.
best,
Jennifer

I 'used' to have this beautiful canary yellow cotton jumper. The charm of it was this stunning bright yellow. I washed it with one dark item, but I also used different washing powder than usual. Sadly my beautiful yellow jumper has a grey tone to it now. Is there any way I could restore it to its original summer feel please. It would literally lift my mood, as it was my only garment that it ever used to lift my mood in such way and I dearly miss it.......
Please help.
Hi Ania,
this is a tough problem. Some fabric stores sell a product for removing other dye form colored garments. I have not tried them directly so I can't recommend them. Look for these items in large fabric & crafts store. Here is a page on removing washed-in color from white items: http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Coloring-Washed-in-to-Clothes I would not try bleach. My first test would be soaking & washing in oxyclean. Do not put the jumper in the dryer until you are satisfied with its color.
good luck,
Jennifer

I have washed my white sheer curtains .They still look gray and dingy.Any suggestions as to how I can whiten and brighten them.Thank you ---Linda
Hi Linda,
you can try soaking them in hot water & oxyclean, then launder with more oxyclean & detergent. that's my only suggestion!
Jennifer

Hello. I was hoping you might answer my question about dying fabrics.
Recently I went to a hot springs place in Costa Rica and bought a new swimsuit. Unfortunately, the swimsuit happens to be pink and blue. I hate pink. So If I just sorta stuck the swimsuit in the sink with one of my washable red shirts, would it dye the swimsuit? If not if there any way to dye this swimsuit red with purple lining rather than pink and blue? Please help. I like this thing other than its disgusting girly colors.
Hi Rosina,
Sorry, this can't be changed. You may have to make friends with your Inner Pink.
Jennifer, a great lover of pink.

Hi, thanks for all your help on this topic that is on the web. A couple questions I couldn't find answers to. One: I have a stark white linen jacket and wanted to change the color to either a brown, or more of a beige. Can you tell me whether dyeing is worth a shot? Also, do people dye purses that have seen better days, particularly on the edges?
Hi Roxanne,
First, read my article on fabric dyeing at www.fabrics.net/dizzylettuce.asp.
This will assist you with the jacket question. Your main consideration here is the lining, visible stitching, & general construction of the jacket. Has it ever been washed? Linen changes in texture & finish, & shrinks somewhat when washed. If you want to risk a warm-water-&-agitation process, you could dye it yourself with the reactive dyes available at www.dharmatrading.com. You will need soda ash, synthropol (both of these available at Dharma) & ordinary table salt.
As for your purse - I don't know, it depends on the makeup of the bag. If it is leather, it could be retouched with leather dye. Consult with a full service shoe repair shop for info & suggestions.
best,
Jennifer

I recently purchased a dress with an ink stain. The cleaned removed the ink but left a large water mark like stain. They said they could re-dye the dress. The dress is made of 85% viscose and 15% Polymide. What are your thoughts on this? Expensive dress and rich canary color. Thanks for your advice. Lucia
Hi Lucia,
If the cleaners can guarantee a result, I suggest that you try it. Most cleaners do not dye any longer & few will guarantee a result. However, rayon (viscose) can be dyed & with a small poly content, will take the dye vividly. Keep in mind that all dyeing is an experiment!
best,
Jennifer

Thanks so much, do you have a dye that is better than others for this fabric type. Thanks!
Lucia,
if you are going to try this yourself, you can find supplies at www.dharmatrading.com. I suggest the reactive dyes. Read all instructions carefully.
best,
Jennifer

Please help, I am having a medieval wedding, coming in on a horse, torches for lighting, ext. I want my dress to look old and maybe even alittle dirty. A dark ivory color. I have heard about tea and coffee dying, What do you think? The dress is made of polyester and is bright white and very inexpensive. The dye does not need to last. Thanks.
Hi Kelly,
I suggest you use fabric paint for this. Check out all the kinds they offer at www.dharmatrading.com. You can't use dye or tea, it won't stick at all to the polyester. You can mix a beige or ivory in fabric paint & apply it strategically.
Wedding sounds great! Have fun & be glamorous!
many blessings,
Jennifer

Hi, is it possible to dye sequins? If not, is there any other way to change the color of a dress totally made of like mirrored sequins or to maybe make the sequins matte?? Thank you.
I am sorry, the color of sequins can't be changed.
best,
Jennifer

I was hoping I could dye a white veil a cream color. If so what dye would I use and where would I find it.
This is a tough thing to dye. Best to start over or replace the nylon tulle with a more appropriate color.
best,
Jennifer

hey i remember swimming with a black shirt and at the end of the day it turned brown, i now have a black hat and want to turn it brown and i was wondering if you knew what fabrics work for that and any other info you have on the subject thanks =D
Dear Jack,
this process is called "discharging." It sometimes works! You can try it with either chlorine bleach or color remover (available at www.dharmatrading.com). Have fun experimenting.
Jennifer

I have a 100% cotton purple duver cover (with 2 matching pillow cases) which I would like to dye a deep/dark purple color. (not plum- more of a cool dark purple)
How should I go about doing this?
I purchased 2 bottles of RIT PURPLE liquid dye and 1 botle of RIT BLACk liquid
dye. I will not be removing the current purple color.
Hi Vilija,
Your duvet & shams can be dyed darker purple, & you can do it yourself if you can get it in your washer with some room to spare. I don't think Rit is going to get you the dark color you want, although you could try it. I suggest the reactive dyes available at www.dharmatrading.com. Get 2 oz each of dark purple & of black 250. Start with most of the purple & a tablespoon or so of the black. Read all dyeing instructions carefully on the Dharma webpage! You will also need soda ash, ordinary table salt, & synthropol. If you don't want to try it yourself, you can send it to Sherry at www.fabricdyeing.com.
best,
Jennifer

I have a Sunbrella Umbrella for my porch. As much as this fabric has touted its fade resistant fabric, the umbrella faded after about a year; maybe less. If I had known that the reputation for this fabric was so strong, I would have asked for my money back from Pottery Barn-now it's been too long. I would like to re-dye the fabric so that it looks something other than worn out. The umbrella is in excellent condition. I'm wondering if this company www.simplyspray.com is a possibility? Recommendations?
Dear Jessie,
have you talked to Pottery Barn directly? This kind of company wants to make sure you are happy no matter how long it has been. Otherwise, I don't have any concrete advice. You could try Simply Spray - test first - it's all an experiment. The sun is very bright & direct here in Texas, too, & Sunbrella is only so resistant to the intensity. The only option is to take the fabric inside regularly, make sure it is in the shade, or choose a color that will please you as it fades & plan to replace it every 2-3 years.
best,
Jennifer

i have bben given homework to reasearch 5 ways of adding colour to fabrics i was wondering if you could help me?
esther
esther, go to www.dharmatrading.com & have fun!!
Jennifer

Have a white garmemt i would like dyeing black it is 72%acetate 28%viscose and the lining is 100% acetate.who and wear sould i let wy garment go to
Dear Kenny,
Sorry, this garment can't be dyed.
best,
Jennifer

Hi…can suede be dyed? I have a light beige tote that I would like dyed a darker color, even black…is it possible? Thanks, Susan
Hi Susan,
Take this to a full-service shoe repair shop & see what they say.
best,
Jennifer

 

You can ask Jennifer questions at dizzylettuce@Fabrics.net.

Jennifer Thompson Miller: I love my work in beautiful textiles, color, trim, and design! I am a devoted student of fashion history and love vintage and vintage-inspired looks. For many years, my main focus was fashion sewing, using natural fibers in beautiful colors. In recent years, much to my delight, I have learned color mixing and silk dyeing. This has added a vibrant, versatile dimension to my fashion design.

I learned design and needlework from my mother and grandmother, and I am very grateful for their inspiration and instruction. Some of my earliest memories are spending time in the fabric store, while my mother designed and picked out fabrics for glamorous outfits. From the age of ten, my mother and other fashion-conscious ladies would ask my opinions on fabrics that they were combining.

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