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Dyeing fabric can be a good way of giving it new life. And it is easier than many people think. The dyeing process will vary depending on the fabric material and the method that you choose to use. The best thing about dyeing your own fabric is that it allows you to be creative and you can end up with something completely unique. Read on for our comprehensive guide on how to dye fabric at home.
We are going to look at three different methods of dyeing fabric:
While the dyeing process is fairly simple and quite easy to achieve at home, getting the results you are looking for does require some thought.
Natural fabrics like hemp, cotton, silk, wool, linen, and canvas will hold dye much more easily than synthetic fabrics like nylon or polyester.
If the fabric has stains, the fabric dye may not cover these and they could still be visible.
If the fabric has been bleached or sun stained, then the fabric itself will have been damaged and this can affect the results of dyeing it.
Dyeing white or off-white fabrics will give you the true colour of the dye you use. Dyeing other colours can give you inconsistent results because the new and old dyes will mix to create a new colour. This is also true of any branding or logos on the fabric. You can use a colour remover to get rid of as much of the old colour as possible.
Trim and stitching can hold colour differently from the rest of the fabric and may end up looking different in your end result.
We are going to look at how to dye fabric by hand in a dye bath, in a washing machine, and on the hob. These methods work well for different types of fabrics and materials.
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This method can get messy so it is important to have some old towels and a drop cloth around to catch any drips. It is a more time-consuming method than using a washing machine but it gives you a lot more control over the final shade of the fabric.
Choose a spot that can take some messiness. Cover the workstation with a drop cloth and have some old towels nearby.
If there are any stains on the fabric, you should remove these as best you can with some stain remover. Then wash the fabric on a warm wash with mild detergent only to strip away any finishes that could interfere with the dyeing process. Do not add fabric conditioner.
Start the dyeing process while the fabric is still thoroughly wet. If you aren't washing it first, soak the fabric fully before starting to dye it.
Take a large bucket or bin and fill it to nearly halfway with very hot water. This can be boiling water or hot water from your tap if it gets to a high enough temperature. You should aim for around 11.5 litres for every 1/2 kg of fabric (weighed dry).
If you are dyeing wool, use warm water rather than hot. This will prevent the wool from felting.
Add 240ml of salt (around one cup) if you are using salt or 240ml of white vinegar if you are using that.
As a rule of thumb, you will need to use one bottle of liquid dye or two packets of powder dye for every 1kg of fabric (weighed when dry).
If you are using powder dye, mix the correct amount with 470ml of very hot water and then add it to the water in the bucket.
You can play around with the ratios of dye until you get a colour that you are happy with. To test the colour, dip a paper towel into the dye mixture. The colour that you see on the towel is the one you will get. If it is too light, add some more dye. If it is too dark, add some more water.
Add the wet fabric to the bucket and make sure that it is fully submerged. The dye solution will transfer colour to the fabric through absorption.
To help the colour take evenly, without any splotches, it is important to keep it moving while it is in the dye bath. Use a stainless steel spoon to stir constantly for at least 10 minutes. The fabric can stay in the dye bath for up to an hour. The longer you leave it in there, the darker and more saturated the colour.
Once you are happy with the colour, you can remove the fabric from the dye bath. Aim for a shade that is darker than the one you want because the colour will get lighter as the fabric dries.
Once your dyed fabric is ready, pull it out of the dye bath and rinse it in a stainless steel sink. Pour water over the fabric until the water runs clear. Start with warm water and then finish off with cold.
Then wash the fabric in a washing machine on a cold cycle with a mild detergent.
Once the fabric is washed, let it air dry, and it will be ready for use.
It might seem odd to use a washing machine to create dyed fabrics but people have been dyeing materials in washing machines since they were invented. It is harder to do in the UK than in other countries, however, because we tend to have front-loading washing machines rather than top-loading models.
You do have to be more careful with front-loading machines because the dye can stain the plastic and rubber around the outside. If you are careful and make sure that you clean it as soon as you're done, however, it can still work.
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The method for preparing the fabric is the same as for the dye bath method.
You can use either liquid or powder dye for the washing machine method, although liquid fabric dye is more convenient.
Mix your powder or liquid dye with 950ml of very hot or boiling water.
In a separate container, dissolve 240ml of salt or vinegar (depending on the fabric) with 950ml of very hot water.
Add the fabric to the washing machine and start a cycle on the hottest temperature setting for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Add the dye solution with 5 ml of dish detergent (to help the dye hold evenly) to the dispenser tray. Then add your salt or vinegar solution.
Flush the dispenser with 950ml of very hot tap water. Then leave the cycle to run.
Once the dye cycle has finished. Re-wash the fabric with mild detergent (including a rinse cycle). Then take the fabric out of the machine and leave it to air dry.
As soon as you have taken the fabric out of the washing machine, you should clean the machine. Wipe around the inside of the door and pour some bleach into the dispenser tray. Then add three old towels and wash with detergent plus 470ml of chlorine bleach on the highest temperature setting.
The hob method uses heat to encourage the transfer of dye to the fabric. It can be used for both natural and synthetic fabrics. For natural fibers, you would use this technique if you want the colour to be as bold as possible. For synthetic fabrics, this is a much more effective method than a normal dye bath.
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The steps for preparing the fabric and the dye are the same as for using a normal dye bath.
Put the pot on the hob and cover. Heat the water to just below boiling point (around 200 degrees Fahrenheit).
As soon as the water begins to simmer, pour in your dye solution. Add your salt or white vinegar solution and 5ml of dish detergent.
Make sure to keep the heat at a low simmer and stir continuously with a wooden spoon (that you don't mind getting stained).
The fabric can stay in the dye for 10 minutes to one hour. The stirring is most important in the first 10 minutes as this is when the colour starts to catch.
For blended fabrics, like polyester/cotton, leave them in the dye for at least 30 minutes. If you take them out too soon, the colour may not hold.
Nylon takes colour more quickly and is darker than other fabrics, so it will need to be removed sooner.
The steps for rinsing, washing, and drying the dyed fabric are the same as for a non-heated dye bath.
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Dyeing fabric is much easier than many people think. All you need is some fabric dye, some common household equipment, and a little bit of time. There are a few different fabric dyeing techniques, depending on the type of material you are using and how you want the colour to turn out. All of them are pretty accessible and easy to follow. Give your old fabric a new lease of life and have some fun transforming it into something completely different.
If you need advice on how to dye fabric, what products to use, and whether your fabric needs a specific technique, we can help. At the Leather Colour Doctor, we are specialists in dyeing fabric and we can help you create the perfect look, every time.
