Fabric Dyeing Questions

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July Questions

I have a question for you,
We do dye pantyhose/Tights/Seamless garments which all knitted and the contents are Nylon /Lycra .........
We do have problem when we dyeing ,we get BLACK SPOTS on light colors.
Its very random and not in every dyelots and not in every garments . And the spots are very tiny and sharpe we do filter the water and dyes and chemicals also and steam is a indirect steam going through a heat exchanger.
Do u have any answer or possible causes what u think ??
Newman
Dear Newman,
I don't know if I can help you much, since I am not very familiar with large-scale synthetic dyeing. To hazard a guess - I would say your problem is occasional particulates in the dye that are getting past the straining process, & suggest a finer filter, or else take it up with your dye supplier. You could also investigate the filtering system in general, and talk to the fabric supplier. You are going to have to be a sleuth on this one, since the problem is sporadic & could come at several places in the process. If I were you, I would start by talking with the dye supplier. Some dye lots contain more "clumps" than others & they may know about it already.
hope this helps,
Jennifer

Hi! My teenage daughter is very creative and has recently designed a really cool necklace out of buttons. She has gotten many nice comments and requests when she wears it out in public. She would like to start selling them, but she doesn't have time to stay home and make them all day long. Can you give us any help as to how we could find someone to make large quantities of these necklaces so she can start a small business? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
VM
Dear Vaughn,
You have asked a big question here, & unfortunately I can't give a simple answer. Here's what I will say about starting a business:
1. You have to REALLY love your product & everything having to do with it, because you are going to be spending a lot of time with it.
2. Figure out what you & your daughter like best in terms of selling. If you like working a booth, like at a crafts fair or bazaar, or if you want someone else to sell it, or what.
3. Do your best to profile your end user. This will point you to the best marketing venues.

Now for the matter of production assistance. Again, no simple answer. The best thing I can tell you is, talk to everyone that you know & see who likes doing this sort of thing. Keep looking & talking, this may take a while. (Then again, you may find someone right away.) You must look for this personally & yourselves because there is no clearinghouse for small-scale low cost production labor in this country. Plus, you must control the designs & the quality closely. When you get into the thousands of pieces, you can go through manufacturing groups & Chambers of Commerce who serve as middlepeople for production in other countries.

I strongly suggest that your daughter make up a few pieces that are her best & take them to local boutique owners for feedback. I have found that there can be a big difference between what our friends love & what works in a store. Feedback from boutique owners/buyers will assist her to increase the marketability, quality, & design creativity.

Hope this helps!!
Jennifer


Ms. Dizzy,
I have a Dry Clean Only linen skirt that has been stained with blood (I think) then taken to the dry cleaner and they were unable to get the stain out. 1st question, is there anything that I can do to get the stain out, 2nd question, can I dye the skirt to cover the stain. Please help, favorite skirt.
Thank You
Anna
Dear Anna,
Since you have nothing to lose, I would suggest an attempt to wash the skirt using cool to tepid water. See if you can get the spot out yourself. Linen actually washes fine, but it may lose the surface smoothness. If it is lined, the lining will wash fine, too. It may lose some color if the lining is acetate, which tends to leak out color when wet. To avoid too much dripping red, roll the wet item in an old towel before hanging to dry.

Another alternative is to try the stain remover that comes with Dryel, that at-home dry cleaning process that uses the dryer. I haven't tried it myself, but I looked over the instructions with the kit that I have & it seems like this might work. My friend Lisa reports that the stain removing part of Dryel is very effective. (I have used the Dryel but not the stain removing part.)

If that doesn't work, you can contact Sherry at www.fabricdyeing.com to see what she advises. You could conceivably dye it yourself, but with a stain, I wouldn't chance it. This sort of stain takes the dye as well & just makes a darker stain.

good luck, & actually I would appreciate it if you would write back to let me know what you try & what works.
Jennifer

I'm so glad I found your website, this is a very hard question to find an answer to! I have a bridesmaid dress that I will wear in July. It is two pieces (top and bottom) and is periwinkle. Both pieces have an acetate shell and polyester lining. Can this material be dyed again to a darker color? I was thinking black but I see that you say this is the hardest color to come by and get right. Also, the top does have some embroidery and beading on the edges and top. Thanks for your help!
Nicole
Dear Nicole,
Sorry, you can't dye this. I actually find that I get this question quite frequently this time of year. Unfortunately neither acetate nor polyester can be dyed by mere mortals. Take the thing to a consignment shop after the wedding & buy yourself a new dress while you are there.
Jennifer

I have older linen or cotton lined drapes that are a light green and was wondering if I could dye them to look a lagoon color or like a soft blend of turquoise, and if so how and what dye would I buy.
Thank you
Sharon
Dear Sharon
these can possibly be dyed, but you must do it without any attachment to the outcome. Any synthetic in the fabric or lining will decrease the amount that the dye will take, plus it is likely that the thread with which the pieces are sewn will not take the dye. Get a catalog from www.dharmatrading.com & carefully peruse the instructions for the procion reactive dyes. I would recommend looking at the colors of cayman island green, turquoise, etc. Keep in mind that you will be combining the dye color with the existing color.

This is going to be a big project & will come out best if you can get the drapes into the washing machine in one load.

If you don't want to deal with it yourself, you could consult with Sherry at www.fabricdyeing.com. good luck,
Jennifer

I have a sheepskin that is light brown and I would like to dye it black to match my motorcycle. Can it be done? If so, what is the proper procedure?
Thank You,
Bob
Dear Bob,
This can be done, but you can't do it yourself. My first stop would be to contact Coronet Leather in Denver. They may be able to do it or else point you toward someone who can. www.coronetleather.com
Good luck,
Jennifer

Dear Jennifer,
I have 2 light brown 100% cotton towels, each 1.5 lbs each, which turned a light orangish color when i washed my face on them and are pretty stained at the moment. I would like to vat dye them back to the original color. Is this possible? Would they become a solid color once more and would i have to dye them darker than they are now since they are so light?
Sincerely,
Sara
Dear Sara,
It sounds like you are using one of those staining prescription medications. I really don't know if you can overdye this kind of stain, but you could try it. I have dyed many towels with good results. Yes, you will need to go to a darker color, preferably in the color family that you have there. You might want to try Dharma's reactive dye in dark brown, khaki, or brazil nut. Get a catalog from www.dharmatrading.com & read it carefully. They sell everything you need except the table salt. I suggest dye, soda ash, & synthropol. Do this in the washing machine for best results. Clean the washer with 409 or similar after dyeing. Wash your overdyed towels separately for 3-4 times after dyeing. After that they can go in a similar colored load.
have fun
you may get hooked on dyeing!
Jennifer

I love this dress--but---
I woud much rather it were just a shade off-white or ivory for my October Wedding. This is a second wedding and my daughters are wearing peach-- I think ivory would be better. What is the best next step for me??
Thanks!
Laura
Dear Laura,
I am sorry, you can't do much with the existing dress. The vast majority of wedding dresses are polyester, acetate, & other synthetics which can't be dyed. In addition, they have so much trim & construction that can't bear the dyeing process. Can you take it back? Another alternative would be to use a second color to mute the white, like gold, light pumpkin, peach, etc. for wrap, trims, shoes, flowers, etc.
Happy wedding,
Jennifer

I have some cotton muslin that I would like to use to make curtains, but it is a blinding white. I don't really want to dye it a color, but I would like a light shade that is more natural or neutral. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks!
Michelle
Dear Michelle,
This sounds like a candidate for tea dyeing. Do a search at www.askjeeves.com for tea dyeing, there are several interesting articles there. Alternatively you could use a very small amount of ivory, ecru, camel, or brown reactive dye to make the neutral you want. The instructions & all the supplies (except the table salt) are available at www.dharmatrading.com. Start out with 1/4 teaspoon of dye - you can always add more - depending on how much fabric you have. I would suggest that you wash the fabric before dyeing in synthropol. If it is very bright it might be coated with something that would resist the dye.

Be warned, you may get hooked on dyeing fabric. It's really fun.
Jennifer

Hello Jennifer,
I am trying to change the color of a fabric bean bag cover, which is Bright Red. I used four boxes of Rit Dye Color Remover with no change. I bleached it too and the only difference is it is Dark Red Orange. I would like to dye it fuschia, however the cover is to dark of a color for it to come out fuschia. So, I am wondering if there is a such thing as white dye. Any suggestions would be wonderful.
Thank you so much,
Jennifer
Jennifer,
You have tried it all. If the fabric is polyester, it will not "discharge" or even bleach very well. There is no white dye. Since dyeing is a water-based process, it basically combines the colors that you have there. Get a new pillow cover. If you can't find the color you have in mind, get some white or natural cotton duck from one of the fabrics.net suppliers & then you can dye it fuchsia & have it made into the covers you want.
Sorry,
Jennifer

Hi~~ I have a wedding dress that many of the sequins have yellowed. Originally they were clear. Is there anything that can be done to restore them other than replacing them all?
Thanks
Sue
Dear Sue,
My expertise does not extend to yellowed sequins, which are basically plastic. I really doubt if anything will reverse the color change process, as it is a chemical reaction. Try washing an inconspicuous corner to see what happens.
Sorry,
Jennifer

Hi Jennifer,
I found a bolt of good quality denim cloth for nearly nothing. I want to make a sofa slipcover with it. The only problem is that the denim is darker than I want it. Is there a way to evening fade the denim. I want it to look like the "washed denim" jeans you can buy.
Thanks, Tara
Dear Tara,
If your fabric is 100% cotton, you are in business. Keep in mind that you have an experiment going here - there's no way to know exactly how to achieve the effect that you have in your mind. You may have to mess with it a bit.

There is an interesting page at www.ritdye.com about the "dirty" look with denim. Check it out. I know this is not exactly what you are talking about, but will give you a place to start. You can try Rit color discharger or a similar product that is available at www.dharmatrading.com. Use rock salt for a coarse, uneven discharged look. All the instructions are available in Dharma's catalog.

Depending on how much fabric you have & need for the project, you may have to do this in several loads in your washing machine.
have fun,
Jennifer

Dear Jennifer,
I was in a wedding and the bridesmaid's dress was a rose pink silk shantung. I was wondering if it would be possible for me to have the dress dyed navy or black so I would actually wear it again. Does this type of fabric take redyeing well? If so, are there places that would professionally redye it for me? Please advise me as I would like to be able to wear the dress more than the one time I wore it for the wedding.
Thanks!
Dear Jessica,
Since your dress is silk, & not an impossibly dark color, you might be able to move it to navy or dark blue. Factors to consider are the trims, embellishments, & thread/zipper. These may or may not take the dye (thread & zipper will definitely not take the dye). Also the fit of the dress. Silk shantung will shrink in the dyeing, which is a warm-water based process. Consult with Sherry at www.fabricdyeing.com. She's the one if anyone can do it.
I am getting a lot of these bridesmaids questions now that it's July.
good luck,
Jennifer

I had a bridesmaid dress made and it is a mocha brown color. The fabric is Peau de Soie. I am in another wedding and am wondering if I could dye the brown dress black. If so, do you have any suggestions of where I could take it or how I would dye it?
Thanks,
Ashlea
Dear Ashlea,
My friend Linda Carter, a fabulous bridal designer & sewing teacher, says this about fabric: "Fabric has a first name & a last name. Its first name is the weave. Its last name is the fiber content." Peau de soie is the weave, and the dyeing question really depends on the fiber content. If your dress is silk or rayon, it's conceivable that it could be dyed. If it is polyester or acetate peau de soie, no dice. Since you had it made, you can inquire of the seamstress, she will know the fiber content.

Keep in mind, that even if the fabric can be dyed, the thread & zipper will not take the dye & will remain the original color. Ditto for any trim or embellishment. Some lace is rayon, which will dye, but could come out a contrasting color to the silk.

So the answer is probably no, but once you find out all the other necessary info, you could consult with Sherry at www.fabricdyeing.com to see if she is willing to take it on.
Sorry,
Jennifer

Hello:
I would like to known if I could dye this white silk bedspread with the color periwinkle.
I want a bluish/silvery look result can this be done and what kind of dye can I purchased. Where can I buy this dye from also.
Thank you,
Ms. Linda
Dear Linda,
It's possible that you can dye your bedcover, but without seeing it I can't tell you even some of the possible results. Silk is dyeable, but if it is lined, has trim, or other components - they may not dye. Almost certainly the thread that it is sewn with will not take the dye. It will need to fit easily in your washing machine. You can get everything that you need at www.dharmatrading.com except ordinary table salt. Use Dharma's reactive dyes. Keep in mind that you will be experimenting - if you want a certain exact result, I wouldn't advise taking on this project.
Let me know if you want more specific feedback!
Jennifer

I just purchased a white rayon and lace dress with intricate bead work I would like to get it to an ivory color. Is it possible to dye it using a tea dye method
Thanks
Cindy
Dear Cindy,
This is possible, but I wouldn't advise using tea dye, & here is why. Tea is basically brown. No yellow, cream, or any other shade. A little bit of tea dyeing will yield a very light brown, not ivory (as I understand ivory).

Please read over my column for general caveats on dyeing of garments. If your dress is rayon with rayon lace, then you can move it more or less uniformly to ivory with a pinch of reactive dye. If the lace is polyester, it will not take the dye. Also, the thread with which the dress is sewn will not dye. With this small of a color value change, this may not matter so much. The dress must be basically washable in warm water & able to be agitated at least somewhat for uniform dyeing. If you are interested in an experiment, you may be in business. Get a catalog from www.dharmatrading.com & study the directions. Write back if you have specific questions.
have fun,
Jennifer

I recently purchased a sofa in a red microfiber. The problem is that it bleeds on my cloths when I sit on it. Is there something I can spray on it to fix the dye to the sofa? Someone suggested Scotch Guard. Will that work? If so, how often would I have to reapply it?
Thanks-
Kyla
Dear Kyla,
Do not hesitate. Return the sofa to the store immediately. It is a travesty that such a thing would be sold. Even if the store claims "no returns," I would take it back along with a dramatic protest. Keep shopping.
Jennifer

Is there anywhere I can find reasonably-priced dye that will dye 100% polyester fabric? All I can find that does dye polyester costs $45 for a pound of dye, which I think is rather steep.
Any Advice?
Much thanks!
Heather
Dear Heather,
I do not recommend dyeing polyester at all. It is done at high temperatures with caustic chemicals in factory conditions. If you have one garment that you would like to dye, or a piece of yardage, you can confer with Sherry at www.fabricdyeing.com. She will let you know if what you propose to do is possible!
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.

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