Fabric Dyeing Questions

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August Questions

Jennifer, I have recently had 2 chairs and a sofa slip covered in ivory cotton duck. After moving 3 weeks ago I have to relocate them to another room where the color will not work. Can I dye this myself or do they need to be professionally dyed? If so how do I go about doing this? Thanks, Kathy
Dear Kathy,
There are several reasons why I would have this professionally done, not the least of which is that you won't be able to fit these large pieces in your washing machine. Keep in mind any visible thread/stitching will remain its original color. Check with the following professional dye services: www.fabricdyeing.com
www.dyeproservices.com
good luck & read my article on Fabric Dyeing 101 for more info on the process!
Jennifer

I bought a headpiece for my niece to wear in my wedding. It's a white cloth headband with white tiny roses glued to the band. I need the color to be ivory. Can I dye this? And how? Thanks, Jamie
Sorry, I can't advise you with any technique to dye the headpiece. Just too big a risk of a disaster. many blessings for the wedding, Jennifer

Hi, my name is Sara. I just bought a dress I love except for the color. It is a very vibrant green. The lining is 100% polyester as well as the outside. I know you are located in CA but I was hoping you could refer me to some where more local. If that is not possible could I ship it somewhere to have it dyed. Can I have it dyed?? I would like it just to be a basic black. Also I would need it unfortunately on very short notice. I leave on August 18th. I would appreciate any help you could provide. Thank you for your time. Thanks again, ~Sara
Dear Sara,
I am sorry, I don't think that the dress can be dyed satisfactorily. Your only hope is to contact Sherry at www.fabricdyeing.com. My guess is that she will say the same, however. Please read my article on Fabric Dyeing 101 for more information on this matter.
Jennifer

Hi, I have a cream colored shawl that is 70% cashmere pashmina and 30% silk with a fringe that a believe is silk. It has yellowed so I would like to dye it. Dry cleaners do not seem to dye clothing as they once did. Could I dye this myself or do you have any suggestions? Thanks, Bonnie
Bonnie,
You can try it, I have no idea how it will come out. The process involves hot water & some agitation. 1. Use the acid dyes available at www.dharmatrading.com. The only other chemical you need is white vinegar. Read the instructions for the acid dyes carefully. 2. You can either do it in the washer or on top of the stove in a big pot & stir slowly. The washer will agitate the fabric more. Cool & warm slowly, else you will have felting. Good luck!
Jennifer

Jennifer, I hope you can help me. I have beautiful tambour curtains. They are 70% polyester, 30% cotton. The sun has caused some yellowing. Is there anything I can use to whiten them when I wash them? They are in excellent condition, have been washed numerous times. Not sure how to whiten and brighten them. Any ideas? Thanks in advance for any help you can offer. Susie
Dear Susie, A quick search on Askjeeves.com turned up this instruction to whiten white polyester:
Mix one cup Cascade and one gallon warm water in a plastic bucket. Soak the clothes in this mixture overnight, then run them through the washing machine. Cascade removes the gray due to detergent residue build-up on white polyester. Try this & see what happens!
Jennifer

Dear Jennifer, I have a bathing suit top (tank style) that is light pink with a black trim on the top. Either the black trim or the black from a pair of sandals bled onto the pink in spots and streaks when they were wet and put into a bag together after being at the beach. First I tried hand washing it using Spray'n Wash and detergent. Then I tried Carbona color run remover - letting it soak overnight - and the streaks and spots are still on the pink. The suit is 81% nylon and 19% lycra spandex. Do you have any advice for how to get the spots out - or what to use to dye it pink (if possible) or black if that is the only way to get rid of the stains. I spent a lot of money on this suit as it is hard to find bathing suits for a full-figured woman these days - and I only got to wear it once before this happened. I would appreciate any help you can give me immensely. Thank you.
Sincerely, Ms. Sam
Dear Sam,
I don't like the sound of this. The vendor should know about it. I suggest taking it back to the store or catalog. I don't think this was your fault (or the fault of your sandals). Manufacturers do anticipate many situations, such as wet swimsuits being stored in plastic bags, & this is not acceptable. I hope you can find another one that pleases you!
Sorry,
jennifer

I was wondering if there is a simple way to dye cloth shoes? I have white shoes for my wedding but need them to be more ivory, because that is the color of my dress. Is there a way to dye cloth shoes. Misty
Misty,
I get a few questions about this & I really don't know the answer, since I have never tried it. First, I would take them to a full-service shoe repair shop & see if they would offer the service. If they can't help you, you could try dipping them in a very weak tea solution. Dip briefly! Keep in mind that tea is brown only, no yellow or cream at all, so you will need a very little bit. Also remember, I don't know the outcome so you will be undertaking an experiment. If you are unwilling to experiment, you may need to start over & find new shoes. many blessings on your wedding!
Jennifer

I bought this nylon slip for like 2 bucks. So though I'm pretty sure it's nylon, I'm not 100% positive. However, it does have some lacey stuff on it as well. I'd like to dye it some shade of blue (at the moment it is white). Need it for an affair next week. Any suggestions?
Melanie
Melanie,
you are in luck, I have been dyeing nylon lately.
1. Get the desired shade of dye from the acid dyes at www.dharmatrading.com.
2. Dye in washer according to their instructions. The only other thing you need is white vinegar. The color does not truly appear until you add the vinegar & agitate for a few minutes. Super easy & beautiful!! Caveat, if it's polyester & not nylon, it won't dye. have fun,
Jennifer

Hi, Do you know of any good fabric dyers in Los Angeles?? Thanks! Estel
There are only a couple of sources for this. Closest to you is Sherry at www.fabricdyeing.com. Call her for info.
Jennifer

Hi there, I was hoping you'd have a solution to my fabric/dye nightmare…. I was at a wedding Saturday night where the *Brilliant* caterers used red dye to dye the tablecloths which bled when people spilled liquid on them…. needeless to say the front of my dress has red dye splashes all over it. the dress is 100% cotton but has a lot of beading/embellishment….. the dress itself is mauvy-brown, the underskirt is off-white (also stained red). Thank you for any help you can give!! Melissa
What a mess! Goodness. I dont know if there is much hope. I suggest you consult with Sherry at www.fabricdyeing.com. See is she can fix it somehow. Best,
Jennifer

I am trying to dye 250 100% cotton white napkins for my daughter's wedding. I need to find a periwinkle blue/hydrandea blue color. Am having a very hard time finding a large variety of blue colors available for dying. HELP!!
This should be easy to do in your washer. you can get everything you need at www.dharmatrading.com. you will need to measure all ingredients carefully for every load in order to get the dye lots approx the same.
Jennifer

Trying to figure out how to dye lycra with a 'graduated' look i.e., darker purple on the bottom going lighter to the top. Trying to make a figure skating dress with this look, but going from a medium sea green color to a very light sea green color. Any help you could provide would be most appreciated. Thanks
I suggest that you contact the professionals at www.dyeproservices.com. They specialize in this kind of thing. I can't advise you on 100% lycra, since it is a synthetic. There are some interesting sites on graduated or ombre dyeing at www.askjeeves.com, too. good luck,
Jennifer

Is it possible to dye a sofa with an existing Regency stripe on it using the darker color, in this case, olive green, without having the whole sofa redone?
Am I dreaming?
Yep, you are dreaming. Sorry. Have it reupholstered.
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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