Has anyone ever dyed fabric?

Re: Has anyone ever dyed fabric?

I never have but my thought is if they are different to start with if you toss them both in they will still be different since you started with different shades. I would think you'd have to do one @ a time as they made need different amounts of dye.

Just my though - I've never dyed though so maybe someone else can come along and help.

Re: Has anyone ever dyed fabric?

Yeah, it is pretty easy. Red dye tends to smell bad, so do it on a day you can keep the house open. Some fabrics will not dye - ie synthetics. Cotton and all natural fabrics usually will. They may dye to the same color, but one could dye to a darker red than the other or they could look exactly alike. I can't tell you which without seeing the fabric. Use salt with the dye to improve colorfastness. A cup full of vinegar in the rinse will also improve colorfastness.

When you dye in the washer, the agitator must keep stirring the clothes for the entire dying time recommended on the packaging. You will have to stay nearby to reset the washer as the wash cycle runs down. Incomplete dying time will not produce the colors you want and may rinse out, so it is important to leave the clothes in the dye for the entire time. Agitating the clothes ensures the dye works evenly through the fabric.

Once you are finished dry the clothes in the dryer on the hottest setting allowed by the fabric to set the dye. Once the fabric is dry, the dye is permanent, but some color may come out in the wash the next few times you wash it, so wash separately for a while after dying.

To clean the washer, wipe down with bleach. Run an empty large load with bleach through the washer. Ensure that all of the dye is out of the washer before washing clothes again. Because if you don't you will inadvertently dye the next load of clothes, too.

Dh and I have done tons of dying and tie dying over the years. It's relatively easy, but a thorough clean up afterwards is essential.

Re: Has anyone ever dyed fabric?

Do not dye the clothes in separate dye baths. Not all dye packages are the exact same color or strength. If you dye in different baths, they will not match exactly which is why people who knit always check the dye lot when buying yarn to get the exact same color.

Re: Has anyone ever dyed fabric?

good luck! I have not tried to dye rayon satin. It may not take the dye at all or it may be patchy. Or it could work.

Re: Has anyone ever dyed fabric?

Sounds iffy, but what have you got to lose? Especially if only part of one piece wil be showing. Most people won't be looking that closely, anyway.