Dyeing Fabrics at Home - Forgotten Arts and Crafts

How to dye fabrics at home...

Have you been looking at your drab old curtains, or a pile of faded t-shirts and shirts, thinking
that you'd like to give them a bit of color? Many people would like to dye fabrics at home, but
are unsure of where to start. Home dyeing is not complicated and can be a lot of fun. All it
takes is an understanding of the basic techniques and equipment, and a desire to add more color
to your life.

What equipment will I need?

It's essential to have all your equipment laid out before you start, so you don't end up dripping
colored dye all over your kitchen. Dyeing is a messy business and you need to be prepared
before you start. It is a good idea to mess-proof your working space. Use plenty of old
newspaper on the floor and surrounding bench areas. Rubber gloves are essential, as is an old
wooden spoon or two, which you'll be using to stir the dye mixture with.

You'll also need an old plastic jug, or a clean, empty ice-cream container in which to mix the
initial dye concentrate. Just remember that each of these items will be stained the color of the
dye when you've finished, so don't use your favorite wooden spoon, or a china serving bowl to
mix the dye in. A plastic bucket is also handy, so that you can transfer the dripping fabric from
the dye solution to the basin.

If you're using a hot-water dye, you'll need access to a stove to heat the dye mixture and a
container large enough to move the item to be dyed around in while it sits on the stove. If you're
using a cold-water dye, a large bucket or plastic washing tub is sufficient, as you will only need to
leave the item immersed in the dye, rather than heating it through.

What's the difference between a hot-water dye and a cold-water dye?

The main difference lies in the intensity of color you can achieve. As its name suggests, a
hot-water dye requires you to effectively simmer the item to be dyed on the stovetop in the dye
solution. Depending on how large the item you're dyeing is, and how deep the color you're
aiming for, you can leave the fabric in the dye solution for anything from 10 minutes to an hour
and a half.

If you choose the hot-water method, it's a good idea to remove the wet item from the dye
solution at the end of the process, and wait for the boiling water to cool before you empty it. It
can be dangerous to move a large, ungainly pot of boiling water around your kitchen, so keep
this safety aspect in mind.

A cold-water dye process is less messy, and, as you don't need access to a stove, you can leave
the article soaking on your balcony or in your laundry until the desired hue has been achieved.
Cold-water dyes can create some pretty pastel and pale colors, but cannot create a really deep
or dark color. If you're after this kind of effect, you will need to use a hot-water dye.

Both kinds of dyes need to be thoroughly mixed with water and a dye fixative before the article
to be dyed is immersed in the solution. Pay close attention to the recommended fixative on the
dye box, as different brands suggest different fixatives. Without a fixative in the solution, the
newly dyed article will quickly fade and look washed-out.

What happens after I've immersed the article in the dye?

Once the item is submerged in the dye solution, use your wooden spoon to move it around
gently, so that all its surfaces get a chance to absorb the color evenly. Leave it in the dye until it
has achieved the desired shade, remembering to agitate the item from time to time so that the dye
doesn't settle into the stationary folds of the material.

When judging the depth of color, remember that fabric is slightly darker when wet, so take that
into account when deciding if the item is ready to remove. When you're satisfied that the item is
the right shade, lift it carefully out of the dye solution with your wooden spoon and drop it straight
into the waiting bucket. Rinse it thoroughly in cold running water until the water runs clear, and
hang it up to dry. In future, make sure that you hand-wash the item separately, as home-dyed
items are never completely color-fast.

What kind of material can you dye?

Commercial dyes are most effective on natural fabrics. 100% cotton is the best candidate, as it
takes color evenly and predictably. However, you can also dye cotton blends and wool, but be
very careful to read the manufacturer's instructions, as some fabric should not be subjected to
extreme heat. The paler the original color of the fabric, the better the result and the truer the final
color.

Never try to dye patterned or stained fabric. The original color of the fabric can really affect the
final color of the dyed article, and it is often possible to see the original floral or plaid print
through the new color. Stains, too, always show up in the final result. Because the stained
section of the fabric starts out a different color from the rest of the item, it ends up a different
color too.