Fabric Dyeing Questions

printer friendly version

September Questions

I got married 15 years ago in a white linen dress that has no zipper but does have lace. I would like to wear it again and if it was a different color I might do so. Unfortunately, it has a yellow stain. I would be willing to tye dye it if necessary, maybe only one color. Any advice?
Thanks so much! Judy
Hi Judy,
you are correct to think that the stain will take the dye differently. So will the lace, in all probability. It could be quite interesting, however. If, after reading my article on Fabric Dyeing 101, you are willing to experiment, get a copy of the catalog from www.dharmatrading.com & read it carefully. They carry everything you need except the salt. If you don't want to take it on yourself, you can consult with Sherry at www.fabricdyeing.com.
good luck,
Jennifer

Hi, Are there non-toxic fabric dyes that one can use, that also do not require a toxic mordant? We have a friend who is extremely sensitive and he wants to dye some clothing. Thanks! Shivani
The reactive dyes use soda ash, also known as PHplus at pool & spa supply, plus ordinary household salt. The acid dyes use ordinary white vinegar to set the dye. All these can be done in the washer with minimal touching of dye & chemicals. I suggest that you get a catalog from www.dharmatrading.com, read it carefully, then call Dharma for more info, since I really don't know what your friend is sensitive to & how it might affect him.
good luck!
Jennifer

Dear Jennifer, I would like to know if its possible to dye a shirt that is a pretty blue to a bright white. I am purchasing the blue one and was wondering if I should get two, in hopes that I can dye one very white?? Thank you so much Darcy
Darcy,
there is no white dye. However, there is color discharger (or remover). Caveat. Stitching will remain blue; plus it all depends on the fiber content of the shirt. Please read my article on Fabric Dyeing 101 for more info on fiber content. With all the shirts in the world, it's probably easier to find the perfect white one.
Jennifer

I would like to know if there are professonals who can dye clothing. I am in a wedding soon and the bride wants me to wear a butter (yellow) color suit. I found an ivory/gold brocade suit. I want to know if it will dye easy? It says dry clean only. Do you know of any professionals who can dye this item for me?
Your help is much needed.
Thanks Octavia
Dear Octavia,
Depending on the fiber content of the brocade, it may take the dye. I love the look of dyed brocade, which forms an interesting texture. BUT brocade shrinks & dyeing an already-constructed garment is risky. Please read my article on Fabric Dyeing 101 for more info. A better choice would be to get a brocade in the proper color, or buy white brocade & have it dyed, then constructed into the suit. If this is too much or you don't have time, you will have to go shopping.

Hi Jennifer, I used Tintex color remover and then Tintex color dye in my kitchen sink. I was wondering if the sink is still safe to wash my dishes etc. in. Thank you, Melissa
Melissa,
contact the folks at www.dharmatrading.com & ask them this question. They have extensive information & specific health warnings on everything they sell.
Jennifer

I have a polyester 65% viscose 32% suit can idye it if so what dye should i use
Mary,
this can't be dyed. Please read my article on Fabric Dyeing 101 for more info.
Jennifer

Hi There! I Think i need your help. I have built a poker table based around ferrari. It has ferrari badges and patches on it and painted parts of it with ferrari colours. I am now doing the playing surface which is the last and most crucial part. I have some red crushed velvet for the job, i would like to have in the middle of the fabric the "prancing horse" in black. Is there any way i can dye a black horse onto red crushed velvet? Your comments will be greatly appreciated, thankyou!!! Adam.
Dear Adam,
what a project! it sounds marvelous. Dharma Trading Co has loads of fabric paints & dyes of all kinds. Get a copy of their paper catalog & study it carefully. You can even call them to see what they suggest. www.dharmatrading.com You may end up to be quite a fabric artist! best,
Jennifer

Hi! At a batik class I took in college many moons ago J the teacher explained that when you mix polyester and a certain fabric you get fuzz balls on the piece. I think it was cotton but I am not sure. Do you know? Does it it happens to all mixes with polyester? Thanks! Nilsa
Dear Nilsa,
Several fiber combinations will "pill" or make tiny fuzz balls. Any combination in which one of the fiber staples is longer and stronger than the other has the potential for this. I can't tell from your question if you desire this result or not!
Please write back with further info if this doesn't answer your question.
Jennifer

Hi Jennifer, I'm so glad I found your website. I have a set of cotton corduroy curtains in a pale blue, and would like to dye them navy. This would be my first time trying to dye something. Could you recommend a dye to use and let me know if there is anything else I should be doing besides following the directions on the dye container? Thanks, Min
Hi Min,
Please read my article on Fabric Dyeing 101 (link at the top of my column) before you start. Also, check the fiber content of the curtains carefully. Some corderoy is part polyester, which will reduce the amount that the dye will take. If they are all cotton, you can probably dye the corderoy, keeping in mind that the thread will not dye. I suggest that you use the reactive dyes from Dharma Trading Co. for best results.
good luck,
Jennifer

Hi there, I just wanted to know which colours of the fabric dye I can use to make either the colour "old rose" or "gold". Those 2 are very hard to find so I was just thinking of mixing them myself.
Thank You, Alexandra
Dear Alexandra,
It's really hard to give a formula without seeing your swatches or knowing what you are going for - plus what kind of dye you are using & what fabric you are wanting to dye.
I have been working on getting a good gold for several years. This is a tough color to obtain because it can easily come out mustard, green, muddy dark yellow, or other unpleasant surprises.
Here's what I do when I want to create or match a color:
*stare at your swatch & do your best to figure out the components of the color. My guess is that Old Rose is a blue-pink mixed with a touch of gray or maybe brown. But it could be a warm-pink with brown, too. (Get a book on color theory to help figure out components of colors.)
*do several test loads, make notes on what you get. It's hard to exactly replicate because conditions change when you go to larger quantities of fabrics. But do your best & you will learn how to adjust.
*I suggest the reactive dyes which produce more vivid results & are easy to mix.

Note, I have found that reactive Bronze produces a beautiful gold on silk & rayon. I have also gotten a beautiful metallic-type gold using a mixture of greens, Bronze, plus ProChemical's Tangerine (www.prochemical.com) on rayon lace. On this method I use the squirt-dye technique which doesn't involve mixing the dyes, just squirt on the various colors & let them mix on the fabric.

If this is too confusing or too much info, I suggest you look for someone in your area who knows fabric dyeing. Work with them a couple of sessions to figure out what you need & how to do it.

good luck,
Jennifer

dear jennifer, i saw your question and answer page at fabrics.net and i was hoping that you could address my question, if you have time to spare. i have several vintage rayon dresses from the 1940's that have terrible sun fading. i was hoping that you could help me with the best method and type of dye to redye these dresses. is it possible to redye a garment that has sun fading and produce a dress with even color? thank you! best, helene
Dear Helene,
I have dyed vintage rayon dresses with mixed results. I don't know what exactly will happen with yours so you must be willing to experiment. Please read my article on Fabric Dyeing 101 for the basic information. I would suggest that you start with one dress, the reactive dyes available at www.dharmatrading.com, & the delicate cycle on your washer. This will give you the best chance for even color distribution. What I have found is that there are unknown substances & spots lurking on old clothes, perhaps from dry cleaning or other things. These make the fabric take the dye unevenly. But you may not have this issue, you'll just have to find out!!
best,
Jennifer

Hi there. I have a pair of light blue stonewash denim jeans that are a cotton spandex blend. How can I make them that darker antique blue color? Thanks! Roslyn
Dear Roslyn,
Rit has some good info on denim dyeing at their site: www.ritdye.com. You can also overdye with a blue reactive dye, available at www.dharmatrading.com. Get a copy of Dharma's catalog & study carefully. Remember, all dyeing is an experiment!! good luck,
jennifer

Hello Jennifer, I am in desperate need of your help. I have bought some cotton rugs that were red white and blue. I had put them in the washer and went on my way. My 8 yr old was trying to help, and she threw some other clothing in it also. most of the things she put in was black and navy blue which was no big deal, but MY FAVORITE shirt was in there also which WAS navy blue tan and white stripes, now it is all pink shaded and purple where the red faded on it. Is there anything I can do to fix this that might take the pinkish red tone out without ruining the shirt? Thanks in advance for all your help! PS I got the washer stopped before it finished and tool the rugs out and drained the washer and it hasn't been dried yet. Sincerely, Lisa in Kentucky
Dear Lisa,
Rit makes a product that takes out dye from laundry mistakes. I saw a whole array of this at Hobby Lobby recently. If you don't have a close Hobby Lobby, try Walmart or Michaels. I haven't used these products so I cannot recommend directly. Check the Rit site, they may have more info.
best,
Jennifer

Hi , I have a blue canvas that covers the windows on my boat , I was wondering what I could use to dye it white since I have read that black is very hard to obtain , I was thinking about soaking the canvas in a bleach solution , but I do think that would weaken the canvas? Any suggestions ? Thanks, Chesley
Dear Chesley ,
I don't know exactly, but I wouldn't try bleach which could significantly weaken the fabric. If the canvas is all cotton you could try Color Remover available at www.dharmatrading.com. Be warned, color remover requires very hot water either in the washer or on top of the stove, so if the canvas won't fit in your washer, & you aren't willing to build a huge bonfire with an enormous kettle in the backyard, you probably can't use that method. I have used color remover with some commercially dyed items & the color did not budge. It does work great with things that have been dyed with reactive dyes. It's all an experiment. Be sure to read my article on Fabric Dyeing 101 before you attempt anything!!
best,
Jennifer

i have a 3/4 length chocolate brown dress made of 90% acetate and 10% lycra. It has never been cleaned. only worn a couple times (a couple hours each time). I went to get it out to wear and it looks like the fabric has bleed. in areas it has turned a redish and also some areas throughout the dress. I love this dress and it was expensive. Do you know someone or yourself that can dye this back to it's original chocolate brown to get rid of the redish colors. I am overwhelmed and have gone to cleaners and made all kinds of calls and nobody dyes anymore(that is what they tell me) I live in palm beach county, florida. you would think in an area like this there would be someone!!! thankyou- Shirley, Florida
Dear Shirley,
unfortunately, acetate is very color-unstable. But if it was expensive & you paid retail for it, I would take it back. The store needs to know, & the manufacturer should sell something that will last longer than this.
Acetate is difficult to dye, but you can consult with Sherry at www.fabricdyeing.com & see what she says. You are right, there are only a couple of places in the country that will dye individual garments, & for the most part it needs to be a natural fiber.
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!

If you are looking for fabrics, the fastest route is to fill out a request form at http://www.fabrics.net/swatch/

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