Comments on: Give Linens a New Lease On Life

By: sara l

sara l — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:14:26 +0000

I’ve dyed yarn with KoolAid and Easter Egg Dyes, but that’s as far as I’ve ventured so far. I’m currently eying what was once a beautiful yellow towel that time has not been kind to.

For those who want more info of KoolAid dying check out this link, it works on protein fibers (wool, silk, mohair, etc) : https://www.knitpicks.com/kpimages/PDF/DyeingTutorial.pdf

By: CG

CG — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 06:05:05 +0000

RE: karla (threadbndr); That sounds like fun! do you have [kool aid + microwave] instructions? Thanks!

By: karla (threadbndr)

karla (threadbndr) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:54:23 +0000

I dye stuff all the time. Rit works ok for cotton based fabrics like your towels and for jeans, but if you want to dye wools (yarn or fabric), you are better off using an acid dye (the kind that is fixed with vinegar). Knitpicks has inexpensive ones.

A fun thing for kids is to dye wool in the microwave using KoolAid or other food dyes.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 01:09:53 +0000

Here is a tip: Keep a jar of black powdered dye mixed with vinegar in your laundry area (and be VERY CAREFUL with it). Use it every time you wash black jeans. It will extend your color very well.

By: CG

CG — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 09:10:37 +0000

I've not space nor time these days, but one of my all time favorite college courses and crafts is natural dying using minerals (copper, aluminum, etc.) as mordants.

The other day I was transferring at Los Angeles's Union Station and I noticed quite a spray of buttercup yellow having fallen alongside the sidewalk from the landscape's trees and all I could imagine was stirring silk in a pot over my stove and waiting to see what color resulted once dried.;-)

By: Kelly

Kelly — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:20:13 +0000

@Jennifer

Two words: WASHING MACHINE! Although I'm sure that tie-die would be a fun project.

By: JenniferM

JenniferM — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:51:08 +0000

Once dyed my daughter's ballet costume purple. Very messy in kitchen!! But now you got me started to perhaps try a tie-dye rainy day project-like today!

By: Kelly

Kelly — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:22:31 +0000

@Jennifer, Just dye it! You can get the dye at any grocery store, or fabric shop. I'm not so sure that I would go as far as using tea though…

By: JenniferM

JenniferM — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:32:42 +0000

I read, though never dared, boiling dingy undergarments in tea could give a new look. The softest blue towel I’ve had since I was a child now has mold stains. Before I check Martha, do you have ideas or solutions?

By: Pam Davis

Pam Davis — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:35:32 +0000

Erma Bombeck said she died all her linens black. They matched everywhere and never showed a stain