Dyeing linen

Blog

Forum

Finds

elpgal

Veteran

I have a white linen shirt from Uniqlo that I never wear because it is white. I want to try dyeing it.

Does linen take dye well? What brands work best on linen?

6 years ago

General

6 replies

Latest reply was from JAileen

Thistle

Veteran

Interesting thought! It's a natural material, and I hear those do better with dyes and such.

6 years ago

karen13

Veteran

https://www.dharmatrading.com/.....linen.html

You need a dye for cellulose type fiber. It is not hard, and if you don't have experience with dyeing, I would go with the iDye recommended on the page linked, as it doesn't require soda ash. Don't use RIT or drugstore brands. Your colors will not be deep enough and will fade quickly. You need a non-aluminum container big enough to have the garment float freely in. You can't reuse any utensils for food. You can do it in a washing machine, but it takes a lot more dye and careful attention. It can be messy, so protect all your surfaces and use gloves.

And take before and after pics!

6 years ago

Joy

Veteran

None of my linen pieces look like the dye took evenly to the fibers. I had on some watermelon red linen today that had some of the natural light tan linen showing and this was professionally done. Don't expect even color.

6 years ago

lozz_oz

Veteran

I agree with Joy - it can be hit + miss dyeing. If the thread is polyester it will generally be a lighter shade than the rest of the item. Some fabrics apparently have some type of finish/coating as well which can interfere with the uptake of the dye.
Then again, if it's sitting there unworn, it could get a second life if the experiment works !

6 years ago

elpgal

Veteran

Thanks for getting me sorted out. So use iDye and keep expectations low. Got it

6 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

I dyed a cotton sweater with Rit dye and it came out fine. I used two bottle of dye, though. Then I dyed a wool sweater with Rit, and it came out blotchy. The difference was I didn't stir the sweater enough.

6 years ago

Category