Fabric Dyeing Questions

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March Questions

I have a corner sofa (Ektorp) from IKEA. The entire couch is a slipcovered couch. The fabric is 100% cotton. Currently the color is a beige/tan. I would really like to dye it (or have it dyed) a chocolate brown. I have no clue how to do this or where to begin. I'm afraid of doing it in the bathtub because I don't want to stain the tub. Also, I have two very young children. Will the color bleed if the couch gets spilled on? Is this even a practical idea? I just don't like the colors that IKEA provides for additional slipcovers for this couch. Thanks!
Jill
Jill,
If I were you I'd consult with Sherry at www.fabricdyeing.com. She can do big jobs like this & guarantee the results. You won't be able to get an even color in the bathtub. If it's too big to fit in your washer, I suggest letting Sherry do it.
best,
Jennifer

Hello Jennifer, I have two problems. I sell vintage clothes, and I can't resist gorgeous pieces even if they have a problem. Some of the dresses are sun-faded. I've been told to use cold water dye to get a uniform color, but I cannot figure out how that works. I think the fabrics I'm concerned about are rayon, cotton, and a rayon satin. I have another problem with a 1920's - '30's dress. It is black, but has two big blotches of bright green on the skirt. One dealer told me it was spray paint, though I'm not sure. This is a fragile dress, with beading on sheer fabric on the bodice and sleeves. The stains are on what I think is rayon. (Yes, I am trying to learn my fabrics.) Can I paint the green back to black? Thank you so much for your help! Sara
Hi Sara,
I also collect vintage clothes & have tried various things. I have overdyed faded or stained vintage rayon with mixed results. Sometimes it comes out great, sometimes splotchy. Remember, dyeing is always an experiment.

The cold water dyes are also called fiber reactive dyes & are available at www.dharmatrading.com or www.prochemical.com. They don't actually use cold water, more like quite warm, as opposed to hot or simmering. They will dye all natural fibers, like cotton, rayon, linen, silk, & mixtures thereof. Anything not a natural fiber will not take the new dye color, like polyester thread, trim, zippers, etc. (Depending on the era of vintage, this may not be such a big problem.)

As for the green paint/stain - I don't think I have any hope for that. You can't paint back over or dye over this. This sounds like a candidate for vintage remaking - make the bodice into something new, or take the fabric & applique it into something else.
best,
Jennifer

where can i aquire fabric or garments for home dyeing? It seems the only decent place in the whole world is in the USA, and they don't ship abroad! Please help, I'm at my wits end!
Do a search for wholesale fabrics & see what you turn up in your area. Any natural fiber fabric that is undyed, white, or natural color will work. Dharma Trading Co is shipping only to the USA, Canada, Japan, Singapore and the West Indies. If this works for you, you can consult with them at www.dharmatrading.com.
good luck!
Jennifer

Dear Jennifer,
I have an old 3 inch mohair teddy bear whose white mohair has turned dark from age and dirt. It can't be washed in a machine, but it can be spot washed. I know I mustn't use bleach on it, so I'm wondering if RIT liquid white dye might work? Since most of what I've read for using the RIT dye is on clothing and textiles I'm wondering if it will also work on the bear? Of course I would apply it carefully. I'm willing to take some risks on this little bear. It's not a valuable antique. I'd be grateful for any advice on how to whiten it a bit. THANKS!
Grace
Dear Grace,
I would experiment with oxyclean, or an foaming upholstery cleaner & a toothbrush before anything else. What you are wanting to remove is years of dust & grease that traps dust, rather than changing the color of the fibers.
good luck,
Jennifer

Dear Ms. Miller,
A friend showed me his jacket which is 55% nylon & 45% cotton in a dark brown. There are several small areas on the left arm and left side of the jacket. Some are small round places & some look like drip marks. In these areas, the color is almost a pink. He thinks it looks like bleach damage but has never exposed this jacket to bleach or any product resembling bleach. BTW, the tag says to wash on cold and never use bleach. It looks to me like something splashed him.

If he walked down the street on a day that rock salt had been spread to melt ice & the roads were slushy & if he had been splashed by this watery rock salt solution, would this type of damage be likely? I cannot think of anything else that might have splashed him.

If this is what it is (or you feel you know what the cause is), can anything be done about it? Your help will be greatly appreciated!
Janis
Hi Saylor,
I don't know what caused this fabric damage. I don't live in a salting-area (not enough winter here), & my partner, who moved here from Denver, reports that ordinary road salt would not have this effect. I once experienced the loss of a suit skirt because of a chemical spot - it appeared the day after the copier had been serviced. I don't know how I got into any chemical, but that's the only cause I could imagine. This is going to be very difficult to repair, given that the jacket is half polyester (which can't be dyed) & also two-toned. Time to go shopping.
best,
Jennifer

Hi -
I'm looking for someone that can dye fabric. Do you know any place in the U.S. (Preferably, Los Angeles) that dyes fabrics? Not piece or garment, but like 200 - 400 yards? I've looked/called around but they all seem to be piece dyers.
Thanks!
Christine
Christine,
I think Sherry may be able to assist you at www.fabricdyeing.com. Contact her through her website.
Jennifer

My off white kitchen curtains were folded neatly on the kitchen counter waiting to be rehung after washing. For some reason my husband took it upon hinself to use the top folded panel to drain bacon on. Guess it was to far to reach to get a paper towel. At some point he must have realized these were my good curtains because he attempted to wash them. Needless to say the stain set very well. I sent them to my local laundrey expert (mom) and the stain isnt any better. Although the rest of the curtains look much brighter. The curtains are made out of cotton. Can I use ritz dye on them and make them a dark green for example to salvage them or will the stain still show through. Please no marital advice the damage occurred while he was making me breakfast in bed
Keep in mind that you will be undertaking an experiment. You might be able to dye the curtains to your satisfaction, maybe not. First thing: wash with Synthropol, available at www.dharmatrading.com. This is a very concentrated detergent & degreaser that is used to prepare fabrics for dyeing. It's possible that this will take out the stain. If that doesn't work entirely, soak in oxyclean & wash repeatedly with synthropol. If you still want to dye, get the reactive dyes from dharma. You will also need soda ash & ordinary table salt. They have the full instructions on their website. Caveat, this will only work if your curtains are really all cotton & not a polyester blend.
good luck!
Jennifer

Hello I purchased a sofa/chair matched set about 2 years ago. The problem is one of the pieces got a stain on it that slightly bleached out the furniture. I can not replace this piece as the fabric is no longer available. It is mico fiber charcoal grey. Can I do anything to try to make the discoloration less? Thank you Michele
Michele,
I am sorry, I don't know any way that this can be fixed. You will have to get the whole unit reupholstered.
Jennifer

Good Afternoon! Wow this sight is a great find! My questions is..... Is there a list of fabrics that will take dye. I am looking to buy or make a dress for my daughter for her senior prom. She is into the hippi look and i would love to be able to do a tye dye dress for her. Thank you so much for your help~sue
Dear Sue, please read my article on Fabric Dyeing 101 for basic info. Write back if you have more questions!! Your dress idea sounds fabo!
best,
Jennifer

Jennifer I am using my mom's wedding slip for my under my wedding dress. It has yellowed with time but I would like it to be blue. It is 100% nylon and I was wondering how I would go about dyeing it blue. Thank you very much. April
April,
Nylon can be dyed using the acid dyes available at www.dharmatrading.com. The complete instructions are on their website. Remember, dyeing is always an experiment! blessed wedding,
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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