Anyone ever tried dyeing faded items?

hatfeathers

hatfeathers

VFG Member
I have a few things with a twinge of fade on the shoulder line...you know the kind, where it hung on a hanger too long exposed to light?
They're good pieces, solid colors, a few cotton and one rayon. I was thinking of breaking out the Rit and giving it a go....anyone ever tried this?
How do I set the color so it doesn't wash out?
Jenn
 
Hmmm....i wonder if the subject was in Hollis' workshop. I can't recall right now......

I know people have done it successfully, esp on cotton. I just don't know how to make it not bleed.
 
The trouble with trying to dye to cover fading is that the fabric will take up the dye differently in the faded area - so you ended up with a freshly dyed dress, still with 'faded' (lighter) areas. I would only suggest doing it if the faded area is very small and not too noticeable.

I'm not familiar with Rit (don't think we have it here in the UK) - but most dyes have different ways of setting the colour - some you just need to rinse and rinse until the water runs clear, others you need a vinegar solution, etc etc

One thought about your dresses - a while back I had a lovely lace dress with faded shoulders, as I thought, from hanging and light exposure. It was worth having it dry cleaned to remove a small stain at the front - and lo and behold, the fading *also* disappeared. I can only assume it wasn't due to light exposure, but collected dust and grime whilst hanging!
 
Good point, Margaret. I've even taken a damp sponge to the shoulders of a "faded" dress, and had that work.

The only color I've had dyeing success with is black. I've actually taken a paintbrush and painted old rayon crepe with Rit and had it come out beautifully!
 
I figure I have nothing to loose, since the dresses have been sitting in my "fix me" pile forever. I'll do some experementing and see what works.

I've heard things like vinegar and salt mentioned for setting color, from tye dyeing friends before, but that was eons ago.

I might try a spot dyeing on the black cotton one....let it set and then dye the whole dress. Hopefully filling in the fade, then giving the whole thing a dose will even it out.

Here's to blackened fingernails!

Jenn
 
That is the biggest problem with me and undertaking any project like that. I have a feeling that the rest of my house will be whatever color the end result of the item decides to be. In splotches
 
Ah, thanks, Margaret and Lizzie!

I'm a dye 'tryer,' Jenn, and love RIT. :) If the item will fit, I like to just do it in my kitchen sink, for ease. If your sink is metal, you have little clean-up. If it's porcelain, it's not recommended, but I've done that, too, and found the dye coming off pretty easily if just scrubbed immediately with a cleaner containing bleach.

The RIT instructions include adding a cup of salt to the hot water and dye, prior to putting the item in the mix. Though I don't see mention of vinegar on the RIT package, I do add vinegar to a clear water bath for the item, after rinsing it. ...and sometimes to water I'm going to just try to soak something stained in, to try to prevent color running...

I know Hollis has a lot more information on dyeing...
 
Has anyone tried tea dying? I have a crochet dress that I adore (for me) but I look like a big blah in cream so I thought about dying it with tea. The seamstress recommended I try a little black cherry or raspberry as I want a hint of raisin to it.

Has anyone tried something similar?

Kelly
 
I've only ever used tea-dyeing on paper - to make it look 'antiqued'. Never tried it on textiles. Onion skins also are good for dyeing.

The dye I love to use is real indigo - then again, I just love blue!
 
I have done something like tea dying...but I used coffee. I brewed several batches of cheap coffee, wetted the cloth with water, then dunked in a dishpan of coffee and let it soak a while.
It was regular fabric, but it worked well to make the color a bit antiqued. The tone of the fabric depends on the length of the soak.

Jenn
 
I remember the scourge being "redying black jeans black". Now there is one big unnecessary mess! Or more so redoing blue jeans back to dark indigo. Messy and it bleeds forever

I have used tea dye on making faux papyrus for the theater, but have not tried it on fabric.
 
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