I had never dyed fabric before, and I'd never really felt the desire to try fabric dyeing either, it just seemed like too much effort! But then I completely changed my mind about it.
There are so many beautiful fabrics available to buy these days, that I had just never felt the urge to dye my own. It just seemed like so much effort and so messy! But I had to try it for my City and Guilds course, so I ordered some dyes and a cat litter tray (ideal to use as a dye bath!). Once everything I needed had arrived I reluctantly got started, working my way through the different processes.
Before you start dyeing fabric, threads etc, you need to wash them to remove any sizing which would prevent the dye from taking. Then you need to gather together all your bits and pieces remembering to use a mask (you don't want to breathe in any nasty chemicals), and also some rubber gloves (so you don't dye your hands too!).
Plastic Bag Fabric Dyeing
The first technique was to dye fabric in a plastic bag. I chose to used two bags, as I thought I may as well do double to get more dyed fabric at the end and figured it wouldn't really take me any extra time.
I put some threads and lace in with the fabric, as it doesn't take up much space, in the bag, and you may as well use the opportunity to get some perfectly matched thread. I was pleasantly surprised with the results, and realised it wasn't quite as messy as I thought!
Microwave Fabric Dyeing
Next was the turn of microwave dyeing. The first challenge was to find a tub small enough to fit in the microwave, that I didn't want to use for food preparation in the future. So I finished of the ice cream in the freezer, just so I could use the tub - any excuse!
Two minutes in the microwave and I had some dyed fabric - amazing, so fast! Admittedly I didn't get all this in the microwave in one go, I put the larger fabric in separately to the smaller bits and pieces. But I certainly couldn't say that fabric dyeing was too time consuming any more.
Space Dyeing
This is where the cat litter tray came in useful! I decided to use three different colours here. Essentially what you do is place your fabric into the dye bath, without any dye, then use pipettes to randomly squirt dye in different areas over the fabric. You must not stir it, otherwise you use the effect. Then leave the dye to do its magic.
I just love the random nature of the patterns this technique creates. After trying it I was completely hooked!
Ice Cube Dyeing
Well I thought this one sounded weird and interesting! For this you need a cooling rack or similar that you won't be using for cakes anymore. You lay the rack over the cat litter tray, and then place your fabric on top. Next comes a layer of ice cubes. The dye gets randomly placed over the ice cubes, then you wait for the ice to melt!
This is the result! I think the pattern it creates is really interesting. The darker fabric on the right was one by sprinkling over the dye powder, and the lighter fabrics were done using some left over dyed mixed with water from the space dyeing. I must try this technique using more than one colour. I'd love to see the effects.
Drain Pipe Resist
My first thought with this was, where am I going to get a piece of drainpipe from? It's not something you tend to have around the house. Then I remembered, when my boys were younger they used a piece of drainpipe as a tunnel for their toy cars - hours of fun! It was still behind the shed - that saved a trip to the shops. As you can see the fabric is wrapped around the drainpipe, scrunched up and tied on with thread or held on with a rubber band. The dye is then painted on. Then it's left for the dye to work. The cat litter tray came in handy again to contain the mess and stop anything else getting dyed.
It didn't really look how I'd imagined it would, but actually I do like the effect. Using thread to tie the fabric onto the drainpipe meant I also had some matching thread to use.
After all these experiments with dyeing, I was completely converted! I realised it doesn't have to take that long. Once you've done it a few times, you just get quicker at getting everything ready. And if your really short on time you could use the microwave. It doesn't have to be that messy either, you can contain the mess within the space of a cat litter tray.
Since these experiments, I have dyed fabric numerous times and will definitely continue to do so. But best of all, it really makes your projects unique.
After trying fabric dyeing for the first time, next it was time to try something else brand new to me, making buttons. To read on please click here: Buttons! (claireharveyembroidery.com)
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