Fabric Dyeing Questions

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September Questions

I'm in a textile class and I was unable to make it to class while they were dyeing. What we did was made one design that would repeat without any space in between. we dye every other one on muslin, but I don't know how to do that. Do you have any suggestions? The pattern is cut out on contact paper and we are supposed to pick it up and move it. Thanks.
Amanda
Amanda,
I am sorry, I really don't know about this method. I don't do special effects dyeing myself. Perhaps you can have a private session with the instructor to make up what you missed.
Jennifer

I will be felting 4 yards of heather brown wool jersey. Kind of a dead color so wish to warm it up with some gold color dye (maybe Dylon?) Which process should come first, felting or dyeing: Thanks, Joan
Dear Joan,
This may be a 1-step process as dyeing wool is a hot water process & that will felt it, especially if you do it in the washing machine. I don't have that much experience dyeing wool - get a catalog from www.dharmatrading.com & read all their instructions. This sounds like a marvelously beautiful project! Have fun!
Jennifer

Hi I have a black showing jacket which has a black velvet collar. The velvet has faded what can i use?
Dear Clare,
Sorry, there is not much you can do to restore the jacket to its former glory. If you want to make it into an art project you could paint on the collar or further embellish it. Probably time for a new jacket.
Jennifer

Hi Jennifer:
I have a white olefin hat that I would like to dye to match a dress I'm wearing to my son's wedding. When I researched olefin, I discovered that it was not an absorbent material. Is there a dye that would work, or do you think fabric paint would adhere without cracking? I appreciate your help with this. Thanks.
Shirley
Dear Shirley,
You can't dye your hat, but you could possibly paint it. Get a copy of dharma's catalog & look carefully through their many fabrics paints. Another option is to search for a natural fiber hat that could be dyed. It will all be an experiment, however. If I were you, & I wanted it to be perfect for such an event as a wedding, I would have someone dye a hat to match.
Happy wedding,
Jennifer

I purchased specially designed, appliquéd white sheers which are 100% polyester, thinking I could tea dye them or use commercial dye to achieve a light cream shade to coordinate with my bedspread. I have been unable to find on the Internet any means of changing their color. Is it possible to do? I understand that polyester fiber does not want to accept any dye, but is there a way to override that?
Thank you so very much.
Virginia
Dear Virginia,
Sorry, you can't dye your polyester sheers. If you can't find sheers in the exact color you want, & you want to experiment with tea dyeing, I suggest getting silk gauze or cotton gauze & dyeing that. Search the internet and also make a search at fabrics.net for silk or cotton gauze. If you can't find what you want, let me know.
Jennifer

I have 3 sweaters made of silk that were accidentally placed in the washing machine because they are dark (brown and 2 black) they seem to have white lines running through the fabric
How do I repair silk damaged by washing machines?
Dear Maria,
there is no easy fix here, & possibly no fix at all. You can't reverse any shrinkage or twisting. As for the color - if they are 100% silk, you could possibly re-dye or overdye them with the same or a darker color. However, those dark colors are the hardest to obtain. Either get a catalog from www.dharmatrading.com & read it carefully, then experiment with overdyeing - else chalk it up to laundry mistake. Sorry,
Jennifer

I have a black cotton settee that has faded in places with the sun through the window. Do you know of any product that will just sray on to the settee to dye it . I have tried to recover it but made a mess.
Yours sincerely,
Clare.
Dear Clare,
Check out the products at www.simplyspray.com. They have a product that can be sprayed on. I don't have any experience with it, so I can't tell you about it firsthand. In general I do not recommend trying to overdye or otherwise fix upholstered furniture. For best results, have it professionally recovered.
Jennifer

Hi Jennifer:
I have a dress that is from the 1960s and is decorated with rhinestones and a lot of fringe. The outside was once all black, but there are some light spots on it now, especially under the arms and the front of the dress. I bought some black dye and was going to "paint" the light areas with the dye. I don't want to dip the dress because it has a gorgeous lining that is a brown and beige print, really nice. Do you think the "painting" process will work if I put a plastic piece under the fabric so it won't touch the lining?
Sincerely,
Marjorie
Dear Marjorie,
I really don't know if it will work or not. It mainly depends on the fiber content of your dress. It might be any combination of fibers from the 60s - but synthetics such as acetate, polyester, & acrylic will not take any sort of dye. If the dress is rayon, cotton, linen, or silk, you have a chance of at least adding color to the fabric.

Another factor is the sort of dye you are using. Rit dye in black is not particularly dark - & even in reactive dyes, black is the hardest color to obtain. Since you are overdyeing, there's at least a possibility that the dye will have an effect. But, if the fabric has been damaged with deodorants containing harsh chemicals, it's possible that nothing will reverse the color loss.

This is the thing with vintage clothes. Sometimes they have potential, sometimes they are just too degraded by time & use. I also love vintage, both wearing it as is & remaking. Maybe there is a chance of taking the undamaged part of the dress you love & remaking it into something updated or unique?
good luck,
Jennifer

Hello, I have a basement that I am redecorating for my Kids (3 boys) in a Star Wars Motiff . . . The room has everything a kid could want, Air Hockey, Darts, a Video Arcade Cabinet that holds PS1 & N64 and a Pool table . . . The Color Scheme is black & red, yet the felt on the Pool Table is Green (not dark hunter) . . . I'd like to dye it either red or black but would like to avoid taking apart the table, so is there a way to dye the felt as it remains on the table?
Could I spray via a water bottle a dye to achieve my end goal? if so, what type of dye and such?
Thanx and many more thanx
First I would start by calling the manufacturer of the pool table. My friend recently moved her pool table & told me about the professional movers & rebalancing that it required. These things are delicate & it appears to me that you would not want to mess with it. Next matter is the fiber content of the felt, which is most probably acrylic. If so, our question is answered right there, because acrylic cannot be dyed. On top of that, it's hard to overdye that bright green to any other color. I think you are stuck. Either work in the green as an accent color or have the table recovered by the experts.
Jennifer

Hello, I have a comfroter that is cotton (i think- im not sure, the fabric tag is long gone) and it is an ugly pastel purple color with strange light patches on it (from bleach? or fabric softener?) and I want to dye is a deep purple to match my new sateen sheets. What dye should I use? How much of it? And where is the best place to dye it? In my bathtub or washer? Also, will it stain my washing machine/bathtub? Thanks!
Michelle
Michelle,
Time for a new comforter. Most comforters like this are half polyester, meaning the dye will not take very well, certainly not well enough to make the dark purple you want. Also, if the spots are bleach, this further inhibits dye application. Sorry,
Jennifer

I bought some red (cotton) curtains and they are too bright. Is there anyway I can make the color darker/duller? I thought of washing them several times, but that will just fade them.
Thank you!
You have a possibility here, but as with all fabric dyeing, you cannot be attached to the outcome. Get a catalog from www.dharmatrading.com & study it carefully. (I am giving only the abbreviated instructions here, you will need to follow the actual instructions in the catalog.) Choose a dark red reactive dye & also get a small jar of black #250. If all these curtains will fit easily in your washer at once, so much the better. You'll need table salt & soda ash, too. Start with a small amount of the red dye & a pinch of black. After 5 minutes of agitating with warm water, see if you are getting closer to what you want. Remember the fabric will be darker when wet. If not dark enough, add a bit more.
Warning, you may get hooked on fabric dyeing. It's really fun.
Jennifer

I have an older hand me down couch that used to be a cream color. After about 10 years and 5 pets, it could use some help. I was wondering if Rit dye could be applied to it and set in so everyone that sat on it didn't come away with a different color on their garments. I believe it is cotton and it has stripes that are of varying shades of cream and slightly different texture (smoother). Thank you for any input
Chris
Dear Chris,
I am sorry, you can't dye this sofa. Please see my column of July 2003 for more remarks on this subject. Perhaps a washable slipcover would be a good option.
Jennifer

My question is: what color dye would change a lemony-lime cotten tank top to a bright pink? thank you for your time.
Linda
Linda,
I don't know, you are going to have to experiment. It really depends on the brightness of the lemon lime. You could try Dharma's fuchsia. It's very bright. IN any event you're going to get a yellow-pink. Remember, the thread with which the shirt is sewn will not dye. Dharma has many ready-to-dye tanks, if you want a pink tank I suggest you start from scratch.
Jennifer

Hi,
I have a lovely denim sofa, oversized and great BUT the slipcovers have faded over 5 years of washing. I would like to redye them denim but don't know where to start or if it's practical to do it myself. What do you think?
Thank you.
Gayle
Dear Gayle,
For this I will send you to Sherry Smilo at www.fabricdyeing.com. I don't think it's practical for you to do it yourself unless they all fit comfortably in your washing machine, & even at that you will need to study dyeing at least somewhat. If the slipcovers are all cotton (& possibly even if they are not) Sherry can advise you & give a cost estimate.
Jennifer

I have a large leather sectional that is burgundy – and I am weary of looking at it – can I bleach leather or streak it…or something!? I am desperate. I would sell it but it’s so heavy, I’d have to hire someone to remove it from our house. Please give me an idea.
Thanks.
Anita
Dear Anita,
I am not a leather expert, & I don't know much about leather dyeing. The best site I have found on this matter is www.leathermagic.com. They advertise a kit that can be used to dye leather furniture. They also have a help telephone line so you can confer with an expert. Check it out to see if it looks like an interesting project to you!
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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