Fabric Dyeing Questions

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May Questions

I have to buy a white dress for my high school graduation. I found one but it is sort of expensive and I don't really want to spend a lot if I will only wear it once. I was wondering if it can be dyed after a pink or blue so that it is wearable. It is 100% cotton. Any ideas?
Thanks, Grace
Dear Grace,
please read my article on Fabric Dyeing 101 for the basic information. Write back if you have more questions! Happy graduation!
Jennifer

I have a yard of white Ultrasuede material and was wondering if I could dye it a brown color? Thank you, Kathy
No, sorry, ultrasuede is polyester & can't be dyed.
Jennifer

Hello! I have a question about dyeing. I bought a vintage crochet cotton coverlet that was made in an ecru color, but when I bought it the color didn't appear that color, I thought it was a cream or ivory. The ecru is very dull and I'd like to brighten it up. Do you have any suggestions? I'm not talking about bleaching it white or something destructive to the thread (it's not a thread, really, or yarn or rope, but I don't know the word). But I'd like to brighten it up, maybe with a yellow, cream, or rosy tint. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks so much.
Hi Roxanne,
I have found that age often brings a darker ecru which can be lightened considerably with oxyclean. If you have a pretreat cycle on your washer, you can soak the thing in oxyclean & mild detergent for a couple of hours, then wash with more of same on delicate. Alternatively, do it by hand. Try that & see if you like the color better. Write back if you want to proceed after that step.
best,
Jennifer

i have recently dyed a pair of cotton cords which were a very pale pink. i used a dark purple washing machine dye and they have ended up a very garish bright purple colour - not the look i was after at all. is there anything i can do to make them dark purple? or what other options do have? even just making them black? thanks for your help! Helen
Helen,
look for a place in UK to get fiber reactive dye. Read full instructions for same at www.dharmatrading.com & www.prochemical.com. I would just send you to Dharma Trading Co, but I don't think they ship to UK. Get dark purple & other necessary chemicals & start again. You won't be able to get a suitable black, it's too difficult.
Write back if you have questions!
Jennifer

I have a loose pillow, cotton denim couch and loveseat that used to be a khaki color. After four kids and two dogs, they are embarrassingly discolored. We do not have the money to buy new furniture and the couches we have are in great shape. Is it possible to dye them myself? If so, what do I use and how would I do it? My mom told me to paint the dye on the couches. But I dont know what to do. I need help. Amber
Amber,
Your best bet may be to send the covers to Sherry at www.fabricdyeing.com. She is set up to do large, heavy jobs like this. Consult with her & see what she says!
Jennifer

Hi Jennifer, I'm wondering if you can help me. I have just purchased a green corduroy jacket on ebay. The green is way too loud and I am thinking of dying it a deep wine color. The jacket is 100% cotton with a 100% polyester lining. I have read that the polyester won't take the dye, but the seamstress will charge too much to remove and replace the lining for the sake of dying. My question is if it is possible to dye my jacket without removing the lining? And how can I get a rich deep wine color from a bright lime green? Thank you so much for you time. Nicole
Hi Nicole,
1. It's all an experiment, so you must be willing to deal with any outcome.
2. You won't be able to get a clear, deep red, more like a grayed tone.
3. Try using olive & fuchsia reactive dyes from www.dharmatrading.com. Read all instructions before proceeding. I suggest dyeing in the washing machine for most even results.
4. The lining will not be harmed, but it won't change either. You'll have a dark-reddish jacket with a lime lining. The thread & all stitching will remain lime green, too.
5. Dyeing is a warm-water & agitation process, so the cotton part could shrink & twist.
6. Another alternative is to sell it on ebay & keep searching for the perfect jacket.
best,
Jennifer

Hi there
I ran across your email at a HELPer site. I am trying to take a 100% cotton matelasse bedspread from lemon yellow bright to something more toned down like pastel or creamy yellow or even fading. I used RIT dye Yellow 42 and it turned out mustard colored so when I called their help desk they said to used the color remover, which I did and it did lighten it some but now it is lemon colored and still too bright. Any suggestions? Frustrated and need HELP
Hi Sandra,
I don't know what is going to do it, but you could try the color remover available at www.dharmatrading.com. Follow their instructions carefully. You will also need soda ash & synthropol, both available from Dharma. Keep in mind that dyeing is a color-adding process, so you were painting over the existing color.
good luck,
Jennifer

Hey, i was wondering if you could help me with a fabric problem. I would be most grateful. I am at university doing a fashion degree, and have been set a certainproject where i have to diplay my work in a certain way. I have found a velvet box that is just perfect for what i am doing, however, it is cream and i want it green!! I need to know if i can dye it, spray it etc........ what is the best option, what can you suggest.
Thank-you
Hi Kerrie-Anne,
The best thing would be to recover the box with green velvet. I don't think you'll be pleased with any spray-on color & ordinary fabric dye won't work. good luck!
Jennifer

I read your FAQ's and I saw that you cannot dye a blue baby blanket pink. But, can I dye a light pink baby blanket blue? The yarn I used is 50% wool, 25% cotton and 25% nylon. I appreciate any help that you can give me.
Thank you,
Edye,
This is possible if you want to do it on the stove. You will need to get an acid dye at www.dharmatrading.com or www.prochemical.com. Both have complete instructions on their websites. Remember, you are combining colors, so you will get a pinkish blue.
best,
Jennifer

Hi Jennifer, My name is Maureen, and I'm newly married. My mother in law crocheted us a dresser scraf with our last name on it in white. I would like it to be beige. I would like to tea dye it, using the sink or a pan since it is not that big. Any suggestions?? You know how much trouble I'll be in if I ruin it. Thanks in advance, Maureen
Maureen,
it all depends on the fiber content of the scarf. If it is acrylic (which most yarns are these days), it can't be dyed. Please read my article on Fabric Dyeing 101 for more info. Search at www.askjeeves.com for information on tea dyeing. Write back if you have more questions!
best,
Jennifer

I have a futon cover that was red and I' m trying to dye it black. I have used Ritz Dye and put in two packages an let it set overnight.It didn't work you can still see the red through the black. What can I do? Thanks for any sugesstion, Carole
Hi Carole,
*It's very hard to get a saturated black, virtually impossible with Rit.
*You are combining colors here & since red is a strong color, it will show through.
*Please read my article on Fabric Dyeing 101 for more information! Here is the link: http://www.fabrics.net/DizzyLettuceArticle.asp
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.

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