Fabric Dyeing Questions

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November Questions

Hey Dizzy Girlfriend! Just wondered if it is possible to dye hunter green bathtowels a black..also the navy blues ones, the same? Just having redone our bath in blacks/whites with red accents..I am 'dying' to dye the existing -but-still-in-good-condition towels black..Someone said that using vinegar sets the dye..is that correct? Can you tell me EXACTLY how to do this if it is possible..thanx..appreciate your help! Kathy
Hi Kathy, you won't be able to get a dark, saturated black. Black is a hard color to get in any case, & you will be mixing with what you have, so it will come out muddy. If you want to try it, use the reactive dyes from www.dharmatrading.com. I suggest reactive dye Black 250. They have the full instructions on their website & in the catalog. Use HOT water & twice the salt as regularly suggested.
have fun,
Jennifer

Is it possible to dye parts of a carpet? I don't know the material. There are spots on the royal blue carpet that look as though they have been spotted with a bleaching agent of sorts. The color has turned to a pinkish color. Thank you. Linda
Hi Linda,
You can't do it yourself, you will need to have a professional service come out. Do a quick search for carpet dyeing & see what you come up with. They won't be able to do just the spots & have them match. It will probably involve overdyeing the entire carpet.
best,
Jennifer

hi Jennifer,
i came across your site (what a great idea!), and i have a question...
i love the cut of these pants and cannot find anything like them anywhere. i would like to wear them to my 30th birthday party, however, i really really want them to be black. they are charcoal grey...and they are stretch wool (wool with elastane and polyester...or lycra?). can i dye them with a black rit dye? (i'm afraid that you'll say no because of the polyester?) there is a tiny bit of room for shrinkage and they don't have to be "jet jet black" (i also don't mind the pinstripe), but i'm ok with them being generally dark/black. as you can see, they're expensive, but if you think there's a chance that the dye will work, your advice would be greatly appreciated. Please help, and THANK YOU!!! -M
HI Manali,
I really wouldn't try this. The trousers are too expensive for an experiment, which is what all dyeing is. Wool dyeing require HOT water, even on the stove at a simmer type-hot. The polyester part will not take the dye at all, same for the elastane. You risk shrinkage, felting, twisting, & generally coming out with an unacceptable color.
sorry,
and Happy Birthday,
Jennifer

Have looked all over the internet trying to find the answer to a question about dying. I hand embroider, quilt, etc., but have seen some pillows, wallhangings, etc. stitched on unbleached muslin. The finished products I've seen have a 'water stained' effect around the center design and am wondering just how to get that effect. I hope you can help me with this. Thanks for any help! Barbara
Hi Barbara,
I think you're going to have to experiment to get the effect that you want. Do a quick search at ask.com for tea dyeing, & also get a catalog from www.dharmatrading.com. Dharma Trading Company sells everything for color on fabric - all kinds of dyes, paints, etc. Start with the reactive dyes, maybe in camel, ecru, bronze, dark brown. Use them all in a highly dilute form. Dharma also sells muslin very inexpensively, so you can try a few techniques to see what you like. You can try dipping, spraying, scrunch dyeing in a ziploc bag - you might invent something new that you really like! have fun,
Jennifer

Hi.. The house came with custom made window treatments that have a great shape. I was wondering if there was a type of Whitewash/colorwash dye that is transparent enough to let the print shape show through by still tone down or lighten the rust colored background..??
Thanks.. Laura
Hi Laura,
Sorry, this can't be done. Maybe you could invent it? Sounds like a good idea!
best,
Jennifer

Thanks... I appreciate your time.. I'll let you know if my invention works.. Do you have any fabric paint preferences?? laf
check out the fabric paint selection at www.dharmatrading.com. I don't really use this sort of product so I can't recommend anything directly. It depends on the type of effect you want, anyway.
best,
Jennifer

I get my hair frosted and am a honey shade of blonde. I found a cute little pony tail at Harmons Drug Store and when I want to tie my hair back and look neat with a pony tail I just clip this on and it looks great. The only problem is that it is a few shades lighter than my hair and looks a bit fake. I asked my hairdresser to dye it but she said it won't work. She said I must get human hair and have this done. But I don't want to go to that trouble. If I can just dye the hair which is a couple shades lighter than my own, I'd like to try that first. My hair is blonde/golden and after a while gets a shade of orange in it when I need to have it frosted again. The pony tail is light blonde. How do I match these two colors? Thank you. Regards, Gillian
Hi Gilian,
this is a good idea, but sorry, it can't be easily done. Those synthetic ponytails won't take dye. I am a honey blonde too (almost natural) & have found it's challenging to match with those pre-prepared hairpieces. Keep looking! Maybe a real wig store will have something that will work.
best,
Jennifer

I`m wondering if you could tell me the right way to hand dye my ivory silk dress? I have four packets of black dye. Should one be enough or two? And would it be best to do it in a big pot on the stove and add salt to colurfast it? Thanks for your time Linda
Hi Linda,
I don't work in Tintex dyes, so I can't advise you directly. Follow their directions carefully. Here is a link to info on the Tintex website: http://www.tintex.com.au/templates/template.cfm?location=faq.
Keep in mind that black is a very hard color to obtain. I personally don't dye black at all, because at the most it comes out a very dark charcoal. have fun!
Jennifer

I have light green velvet curtains and linings on my campervan which have faded. Would it be possible to dye them a darker green and if so what would I use.
Please read my article on Fabric Dyeing, here is the link:
http://www.fabrics.net/DizzyLettuceArticle.asp
Write back if you have more questions!
best,
Jennifer

I was able to pick up a new king sized, white cotton "candle wicking" style bedspread & shams for $55.00, while the same thing in the "natural" color was over $300.00. I would prefer a more natural aged look. I only have access to a front loading washing machine, is it possible to dye something this large successfully in my bath tub? Thanks for any suggestions! Gavin
Hi Gavin,
well, it all depends on how even you want the color to come out. The thing about washing machine dyeing is that the agitation distributes the dye evenly - IF you have enough water & space around the fabric.
You can also send it to Sherry at www.fabricdyeing.com. She can get it a great, even color.
best,
Jennifer

Hi. I have a salmon pink 3-piece leather sofa. I don't like the colour and want to dye it dark brown. I would like to do this myself rather than getting a professional (complete with high price tag!). My questions are: 1 Can I dye it (or will everyone end up with brown bottoms 2 How much dye will I need? 3 What sort of dye should I use? 4 How much (roughly) am I looking at it costing? 5 Have you got any tips for me? Thanks so much! Best wishes, Yvonne
Hi Yvonne,
Leather dyeing is not my area of expertise, but I will refer you to www.leathermagic.com. They sell kits for dyeing leather upholstery & can answer more of your questions!
best,
Jennifer

I'm glad I found someone that can help me and knows my language. I'm an apparel designer myself and decided to make my wedding gown. I've designed a mermaid style gown with the bottom mermaid fullness as a separate piece. I'd like to dip dye the bottom fullness piece fading down to a darker pink. The fabric I purchased is 100% silk dupioni shantung. It's a shell color which is a very very light light pink. The untrained eye would probably look at the fabric color as an off white.
How do you suggest I dip dye the bottom fullness? I was thinking I'd have to do it at home on the stove in a large pot and of course I would test it first, but wanted to see from you if you have any advice for me first. Is there a certain brand you would suggest? I've researched acid dyes and it looks like that is the best way to go, but not sure if there is something special I need to do since I'm dip dyeing it and wanting the bottom to be a bit darker. Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks for your help, Michelle
Hi Michelle,
A quick search for ombre dyeing at www.ask.com turned up this interesting site: http://allfiberarts.tribe.net/thread/30c1254c-c6f4-4935-8c49-91bd20de6d38 I haven't really tried it, so I can't advise directly! It sounds totally gorgeous! have fun & blessings to your wedding,
Jennifer

Maybe you can help me out- I have been trying to find out about the process a cotton fabric would undergo to achieve a vintage wash. I know this is the work of a Dye house but I am interested in the process that the Dye house would use. What machines, etc. If you have any websites that might help me or just your own knowledge I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you,
Shawna
Hi Shawna,
I am not sure exactly what effect you are thinking of when you say "vintage wash." So rather than second guess - I think your best bet would be to contact Sherry at www.fabricdyeing.com & have a conversation with her. She knows all about these industrial processes.
best,
Jennifer

I can't believe I found this web sight. What a blessing!
I have a new cranberry suede jacket that I wore for the first time last night. When I got home I discovered that the back of the collar had bled onto the back of the silk/poly (?) cream colored shell I had worn underneath. After several hand washing of the neck area, the color seems to be coming off the shell. But I don't want to go through this every time I wear the jacket. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Dear Suzanne,
take the jacket back. The retailer should know that it is "crocking," or rubbing color off, like this. Even if it came from a discount store, I would take it back & file a vigorous complaint.
best,
Jennifer

I have a red cashmere dress coat that I would like to dye dark gray or black. Can this fabric withstand dyeing? Also, are you aware of any professionals who do custom dyeing? I checked with my dry cleaner, who said they did it years ago but that most dry cleaners don't dye anymore. I am in the Chicago area.
Thanks.
There are only a few dye houses in the country, you can inquire with them.
Check with:
www.fabricdyeing.com
www.knitweardoctor.com
You can also check out www.dyeproservices.com, which is in Canada.
best,
Jennifer

Hi! I washed my drapes that says "Dry Clean Only". The drapes now look very clean but I noticed that the fabric is no longer shiny and it droops. I can't afford dry cleaning but now I regret I washed it. Is there any remedy to restore the fabric into its shiny texture? Thanks! Criselda
Hi Criselda,
I don't know any correction to this matter, sorry.
Jennifer

Hi ~ I saw your website and thought you would be the best perfect to ask this question to…What would you use to dye M. Stevens' Milliskin Unitards? They are a blend of 77% nylon and 23% lycra. Would Rit dye work on this product? Thanks for your help! Kristina
Kristina,
Rit may work, but it will not be very dark or saturated. I have good luck dyeing nylon with the acid dyes & HOT water in the washing machine. These are available at www.dharmatrading.com.
best,
Jennifer

Hi, I read your column on fabrics.net, "Fabric Dying 101." I had a baby blue %100 cotton sweater that I really wanted to change white. I have bleached it and have seemed to stripped all color off of it, and while it is close to white, it still has a pinkish-hue, which isn't what I want. Is there any type of dye or process I can put on it to make it white? Like a sort of fabric paint or something? Thanks in advance.
Hi Jay,
I am sorry, this sweater can't be rehabilitated. Time to go shopping!!
best,
Jennifer

Hi...just purchased a small 5X8 acrylic shag area rug in natural...I really wanted blue...any blue...can I use Rit dye in an industrial washing machine to dye it?
Dear Mary,
I am sorry, acrylic can't be dyed.
best,
Jennifer

I have a black baby stroller that sat on my porch for way too long in the sun. The black canvas-like fabric faded to that brown-purple color. Is it possible to dye it back to the original black?
Sorry, this can't be remedied.
best,
Jennifer

I have a wool coat that has been given to me. It is cream color but has what looks like coffee stains on the collar. Is there anything I can do to save it? Tiffany
Hi Tiffany,
You can consult with the following dyehouses to see what they say:
www.fabricdyeing.com
www.knitweardoctor.com
best,
Jennifer

I would like to use coffee to dye my 100% polyester curtains. I know that dying poly is extremely difficult but have heard that coffee would work. I would be most grateful for any tips or suggestions. Thank you, Beth
Hi Beth,
I don't think it will work, but you can try it. The worst that can happen is that it will all wash out again. Just think of spilling coffee on a polyester blouse - it washes out easily!
good luck,
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.

About Dizzylettuce

Dizzylettuce is a line of unique, creative, beautiful, and luxurious silk accessories - triangles, rectangles, and circles - that can be worn as shawl, wrap, waist and hip wrap, sash, exciting ensemble layer, and suit or coat accessory.

Take a look at the latest Dizzylettuce styles & colors at www.dizzylettuce.com.

You can contact me at 512 837 4063 or here at dizzylettuce@fabrics.net.

If you love beautiful colors, luxurious textures, rich and interesting trim accents, the creation of a unique fashion look, and beautiful clothes - you will love Dizzylettuce!

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The "dizzylettuce" Column is an opinion Column and may or may not reflect the views of Fabrics.net.