Next, add the dye, being careful not to pour directly on the fabric as this can cause dark spots. Step 5: Stir frequently until the dye is absorbed Most dyes like Procion MX, RIT, Dylon, and Tulip will work on all of these fabrics. Synthetic fabrics or 100% polyester blends will require special synthetic dyes. RIT does have a line of dye for synthetic fabrics. Before dyeing, remove any visible stains on the garment. This will help achieve uniform color results when dyeing. Pre-wash item in warm, soapy water. This helps to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption. Leave damp and set aside. Use the Stovetop Method. Our dyes love hot water. It relaxes the fabric so that it can absorb the dye. This dyeing method enables you to maintain a very hot dyebath for the duration of your dyeing so you can get the darkest color possible.

With the growing popularity of front loading washing machines, we have found that dye may stain the plastic parts around the machine if it is not cleaned up right away; so it’s important to clean up immediately after dyeing, which we detail how below. Front Loader Instructions Fiber content and weight effect how color appears. If you are in doubt as to whether your fabric will accept dye or achieve the color you want, we recommend testing a swatch first. I stirred the dress in this bath continuously every 5 minutes or so. Don’t freak out if the water begins darkening. This is just the stray dye coming off the item. It’s a good thing—it’s not bleeding into your other clothing!Set water temperature to the hottest possible setting and a wash cycle of at least 30 minutes or longer. The longer the item is in the dye, the darker the color will be. Stir constantly for the first 20 minutes, then frequently for at least 2 hours. After the first 20 minutes, you can turn the heat down. If you like, you can turn off the heat and allow the item to sit in the dye for several hours or overnight. Step 6: Soak in color fixative Kat has been sewing since her feet could reach the pedals, starting with quilts she made with her mom and eventually graduating to garments. She now makes everything she wears, occasionally teaches classes, and shares her projects on social media. Highlights include her wedding dress, shoemaking, and a love for almost any fabric that comes in hot pink! Read more… First I put a large pot of water on the stove to heat it up just a bit more than my sink could. In the meantime, I added about half of the amount of water I needed to my stainless steel sink.

You can help the fabric absorb dye more evenly and vibrantly by agitating your dye bath throughout the dye process, to ensure the dye is absorbed deep into the fibers. You’ll want to work with more dye than you think you need, and in a dye tub or pot that’s also larger than you think you’ll need to allow your denim to swim freely. If you are dyeing synthetic fabric (i.e. fabric containing more than 35% polyester, acrylic or acetate) with Rit DyeMore, then you cannot use this method. Due to the complexity of dyeing synthetics, you must use the stovetop method to maintain an almost boiling temperature for the duration of your dyeing. Weigh the item you’re dyeing and write down its total dry weight. Step 3: Calculate how much dye you need Disclaimer: With so many generations of washing machines in the market, it’s difficult to pin point a precise process as it differs across brands. Please follow these instructions as a general guideline and use at your own discretion.

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When desired color is achieved, remove from dye bath. Fabric will look darker when wet and will dry lighter. Squeeze out excess dye. To enhance the color and reduce color bleeding, use Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative immediately after dyeing and before washing, following these instructions. I then put on my disposable gloves and immediately wet and submerged the entire dress I was dyeing. I used the stirrer to make sure all parts of the dress touches the dye and stirred it for about 10 minutes. Depending on your fabric, you may wish to follow the in-sink rinse with a run through the washing machine, or even just pop it in for a spin cycle, but the rest is up to you.

Use dye that’s designed for the fiber content of your coat – acid dyes for wool and protein fibers, fiber-reactive for cotton, and disperse dyes for polyesters and synthetics. Shuffle your fabric to the side with your tongs or spoon so you’re not pouring directly on the fabric. Mix thoroughly. Wear rubber gloves to protect hands from getting stained and to insulate them when working with hot water.The gold topstitching thread on jeans is frequently polyester, so do keep in mind that this may not absorb fiber-reactive dye in the same way the fabric does. Additionally, if the jeans you’re dyeing are starting off quite dark blue, they’ll likely still have a tinge of blue once you’ve finished dyeing. This is less likely if you start with jeans that are a lighter color to begin with. Choosing the right dye for your fabrics is half the battle. Many garments will be made up of fabrics like linen, cotton, rayon, or polyester blends.

In a separate container, dissolve 1 cup 240 mL of salt in 4 cups 950 mL of very hot water if dyeing natural fibers like cotton or linen. If dyeing silk or nylon, mix 1 cup 240 mL of white vinegar with 2-4 cups 470-950 mL of hot tap water. Pour the dye solution into the dispenser. Then, pour the salt or vinegar solution. Flush the dispenser thoroughly with 4 cups 950 mL more of hot tap water. A set of measuring spoons. Since you’re only using these for salt or vinegar, you don’t need a special “dye only” set, your regular kitchen ones are fine. I have a favorite dress from Boden. Boden is my favorite place to shop for work dresses (and even some casual dresses). They are expensive, but they hold up very well. And in the one case that I had a dress that didn’t hold up very well, Boden sent me a replacement free of charge.

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Of all the dye methods recommended in this post, acrylic is the least likely to give you a deep, permanent dye result that you’ll be happy with. As tempting as it might be to dip an item in acrylic paint to give it a new lease on life, coating fabrics in straight acrylic paint will lead to a concrete-like stiff coating that chips off whenever the fabric is flexed. If the garment you want to dye contains more than 35% synthetic material, you should use Rit’s dye for synthetic fabrics called Rit DyeMore. Rit DyeMore is specially made for synthetic fabrics like polyester, acrylic, acetate, plus blends that contain those fibers.