Now that you all have the song from Aladdin floating around your head, I can discuss my new soon-to-be sewing addiction.
I've mentioned a time or two that quality fabric is rather limited in my current part of the country. While I can find quality online, it often seems that a) it costs waaaay to much (remember, I'm not paying for it) or b) it still isn't quite what I had in mind.
For my most recent project (which I'll share in greater detail after it's up on The Sew Weekly), I struggled with finding the perfect trims. However, I did have a ton of lace on hand and scored some cute buttons off ebay. The only problem? They were white. My dress on the other hand, royal blue with a grey Bemberg lining. They clashed.
What to do...what to do?
Dye them!
That's right readers, my whole new world is dyeing fabrics and trims! This was a great way to test the waters and I think this is going to be addictive!
Here's what I did:
I bought a pack of Rit powder dye in Black. The store was out of grey and what's grey really - just a lighter shade of black. I filled a large stainless pot with hot water, per the directions, wet the lace, and threw it all in the pot with just a sprinkle of the dye powder. I wasn't dyeing much and I didn't want the pieces too dark so, used the smallest amount I could.
I let the lace sit in the dye for about 2 minutes while waiting for the water to simmer. When I checked it though, I thought it was a bit too dark and too blue. So, I washed it, set it aside and cut a new length. This piece, I swirled in the water and removed within seconds. This came out slightly lighter than the first piece. After the laces were washed and hung, I checked on the buttons, which were now nearly the same shade grey as my lining. So, I rinsed them and set them out to dry too.
At first, I wondered why the buttons had come out so much better than the lace. I know different materials take to the dyes differently but, the buttons were a nice warm grey and the lace looked grey-blue. It didn't take long to realize though, it was due to the buttons actually starting as a very pale ivory, whereas, the lace was bright white. So, to warm the color of the lace, I let it dry and then set it in a cool black tea bath for about an hour.
Check out the results:
Now that I've tried it on trims, I'm (nervously) ready to tackle a bigger project. I can't find silk locally, and at $40+/yd online for charmeuse in the colors I want, dyeing seems to obvious solution. For only $12/yd + ~$4 for dye, I'll (hopefully) have the perfect silk for my upcoming dresses! Wish me luck!
Any tips before I plunge? x
I've mentioned a time or two that quality fabric is rather limited in my current part of the country. While I can find quality online, it often seems that a) it costs waaaay to much (remember, I'm not paying for it) or b) it still isn't quite what I had in mind.
For my most recent project (which I'll share in greater detail after it's up on The Sew Weekly), I struggled with finding the perfect trims. However, I did have a ton of lace on hand and scored some cute buttons off ebay. The only problem? They were white. My dress on the other hand, royal blue with a grey Bemberg lining. They clashed.
What to do...what to do?
Dye them!
That's right readers, my whole new world is dyeing fabrics and trims! This was a great way to test the waters and I think this is going to be addictive!
Here's what I did:
I bought a pack of Rit powder dye in Black. The store was out of grey and what's grey really - just a lighter shade of black. I filled a large stainless pot with hot water, per the directions, wet the lace, and threw it all in the pot with just a sprinkle of the dye powder. I wasn't dyeing much and I didn't want the pieces too dark so, used the smallest amount I could.
I let the lace sit in the dye for about 2 minutes while waiting for the water to simmer. When I checked it though, I thought it was a bit too dark and too blue. So, I washed it, set it aside and cut a new length. This piece, I swirled in the water and removed within seconds. This came out slightly lighter than the first piece. After the laces were washed and hung, I checked on the buttons, which were now nearly the same shade grey as my lining. So, I rinsed them and set them out to dry too.
At first, I wondered why the buttons had come out so much better than the lace. I know different materials take to the dyes differently but, the buttons were a nice warm grey and the lace looked grey-blue. It didn't take long to realize though, it was due to the buttons actually starting as a very pale ivory, whereas, the lace was bright white. So, to warm the color of the lace, I let it dry and then set it in a cool black tea bath for about an hour.
Check out the results:
 |
| Left to right: twice-dyed finished lace, single-dyed lace, original white lace, original white buttons, finished dyed buttons, set on the grey lining |
Now that I've tried it on trims, I'm (nervously) ready to tackle a bigger project. I can't find silk locally, and at $40+/yd online for charmeuse in the colors I want, dyeing seems to obvious solution. For only $12/yd + ~$4 for dye, I'll (hopefully) have the perfect silk for my upcoming dresses! Wish me luck!
Any tips before I plunge? x
Wow, what a difference the dye has made! I can't wait to see the dress. I wish I had some advice for you on dyeing your fabric - but I've never done it. The only I know is that natural fibers take to dye better than synthetic ones - so your silk charmeuse will have no problem taking to the dye.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Annabelle! I expect to post the new dress sometime this week (have to wait for Mena to post it first). I hope you're right about the silk taking the dye. I've chosen two jewel tones so the silk will really need to slurp up the color!
ReplyDelete