Fabric Dyeing Questions

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September Questions

I am trying to get some aubergine dye to dye some satin shoes am having real problems finding any. Can you help please.
Hi Vanessa,
Consult with a full-service shoe repair service. If they offer dyeing, they will mix colors to match your swatch. I don't recommend doing this yourself, because
1. satin shoes are polyester, which doesn't take dye,
2. it's hard to get the color even without streaks.
best,
Jennifer

I stumble across one of your articles on fabrics.net and I have a question for you about dying clothes.
I have a surplus military great coat thats around 5' foot in length and of heavy material - theres no label so I can't find out what material it is. Its currently a khaki color but I would like it in a brown or black color so it looks a bit more mainstream and modern instead of like a giant military coat.
I've been told by one source that it simply isnt possible, but I thought I'd pop you a line and see what you think. Would bleaching it lighter and then dying be a good route?
I'm a total amateur at this, so all help would be appreciated
Hi Mark,
This is going to be tough to do, but if you want to you can explore the possibility a bit further. You can't do it yourself, but you could possibly send it to a couple of dye houses to see what they think. They will be able to determine what fiber content it is. Try these:
www.fabricdyeing.com
www.dyeproservices.com
www.knitweardoctor.com
Be sure to read my article on Fabric Dyeing 101 before you take any more steps. http://www.fabrics.net/DizzyLettuceArticle.asp Remember, the coat must be able to withstand warm water & agitation. Plus, the lining & thread will not change in color.
best,
Jennifer

I bought tulle for my wedding veil in ivory. Once I received the dress from my order, it is almost white! not ivory! So now the veil is too dark. How would bleach work in regards to lightening the veil?
Thanks!
Hi Christina,
The tulle can't be bleached. Sorry!
blessings to your wedding,
Jennifer

I love your name, dizzy lettuce. My neighbor gave me a beautiful dress for watching her cats. Hope she goes away more often.(:- ) The color is not me. I am winter coloring, if you ever read, " color me beautiful" Dark hair, look good in black, deep purples, real reds, white, pastels. You have the picture. The dress is a light brownish-yellow. Light enough to dye. Makes me look pale and does not go with my color palette or make up. OK what do I do? I know there are dyes for rayon , whet colors will overcome the color? and blend with it? is black the safest? If you will give me the colors to cover up the kucky, muddy color, what to use, where to get it, I will be grateful forever. Leila
Dear Leila,
You can dye this using the reactive dyes from www.dharmatrading.com. Look over the colors carefully, keeping in mind that you will be combining with the current color of the dress. If you have a muddy color, you will still have a muddy color in the end. It's hard to get true black at home. Another option is to send it to be dyed black at www.fabricdyeing.com or www.knitweardoctors.com. Both of these dye houses will dye single garments black.
Best!!
Jennifer

Any thoughts on how to brighten my white bathingsuit? It's starting to yellow from the sun. Thanks,
Dear Marybeth,
Try soaking in Oxyclean. That's the only suggestion I have. I know this product works great on cotton & linen, but nylon-spandex-etc, I don't know! good luck,
Jennifer

My wedding dress is off white. It is a satin, I am assuming with polyester in it because it was only $300.00 twenty five years ago. It was never preserved but it has been in a cool, clean closet and looks like the day I wore it. My daughter is planning on having children in the next 2 years, God willing. I would like to make the dress into a Christening gown and quilt. It is Ecru, and I know that my daughter would love for it to be white. Is there anyway to lighten it or even bleach it to white? Any information you can give me will be appreciated. Thank you,
Hi Cindy,
It sounds like a great idea, quite heartfelt & meaningful! Unfortunately, it's not possible to change the color of polyester fabric. Time to get creative. You could try an overlay of white organza, or maybe trim with lighter lace, etc.
best,
Jennifer

I recently purchased a house that provided long tab curtains made out of , I believe muslim. I don't know my fabrics, but they feel 100% cotton - just rough feeling. They are lined with a softer , I think cotton.

I would like to dye them. They are a creamy color - I would like to go darker towards a brown/gold or even a sage green

Would tea staining accomplish this or should I use a dye? If so , what kind....any instructions?
Hi Cindy,
you might be able to dye your curtains. First, in order to get them all the same color, you must be able to fit them all loosely in your washer. If you can, then get a copy of the catalog from www.dharmatrading.com & study it carefully.

If you can't fit them all in the washer, contact Sherry at www.fabricdyeing.com. She specializes in this kind of thing. Keep in mind the thread will not dye, so unless you don't mind a sharply contrasting thread, you'll need to stay in the range of the current color.
best,
Jennifer

Hi, I have a linen item of clothing that I want to die. It is currently a print of black and white, sort of animal looking. I love the clothing but it is dated. I was thinking of dying it so I can wear it again. I am thinking black would be the easiest color to change it to; I would prefer brown if possible. Please let me know if I can dye linen and what the best type of dye to use. Thanks so much for your help.
Hi Kellie,
you can't get this to a solid color. If you want to experiment with overdyeing, you can do it yourself in the washer or consult with dye houses www.fabricdyeing.com or www.knitweardoctor.com. Both of these establishments will dye individual garments. Please read my article on Fabric Dyeing 101 (http://www.fabrics.net/DizzyLettuceArticle.asp) before you take any steps! If you choose to try it yourself, I suggest the reactive dyes from www.dharmatrading.com.
best,
Jennifer

I recently bought a couch that was made in 1961 by Kroehler Furniture Co., (a company I believe no longer exists). The couch is about seven feet long and has beautiful tapered wood legs, and an overall sleek and classy shape. It is perfect for my apartment. The problem is this: It seems that the original color of the fabric (a chocolately brown) has turned with sunlight (or age, or moisture?) an olive green color. It is now mostly olive green, except for the cushions, which must've had something piled on top of them during the color-fading period. So my couch is pea green with brownish cushions and other brown spots. (The fabric under the cushions has remained dark brown). The thing is, I actually love the green color. I would love to get the entire couch to be olive green. The tag says that the fabric is: 82% blended cotton felt and 18% polyether foam. The two cushions are made of 100% polyurethane foam. Is there a way to turn all of the fabric green? Re-upholstering isn't an option right now unless I do it myself, and trying to dye the fabric seems like it might ruin the integrity of parts of the couch. What should I do?
Dear Erin,
The sofa sounds wonderful! In my opinion, the fabric is just too old & sun-distressed to experiment with. I think you will end up with a pile of shreds if you try anything. Plus, it's very difficult to move things to another value of color - you can only add color to the brown that you have there. Save up for reupholster.
best,
Jennifer

hi, i was wondering if it was possible to dye a down comforter? its a twin so it isn't huge or anything and it is also all cotton. the main thing is that i don't want it to ruin the feathers. oh, and am i going to be taking on something way too difficult or is it not so bad? thank you! - erin
Hi Erin,
Yes, it's too much of a project to dye a down comforter. However, you can dye fabric & make a duvet to put the comforter in.
Take a look at www.dharmatrading.com. They have loads of resources & instructions on tie-dyeing.
best,
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.