Dying clothes - any luck? - YouLookFab Forum

Dying clothes - any luck?

Helena

Hi there,

Aziraphale's recent post on an alternative to white jeans has got me thinking about a few of my white pieces that I am getting sick of - specifically white denim shorts and a white denim jacket. I am considering a light cool beige as "my white" and wondering if I could dye these items as they still work well in fit, etc.

Anyone had any luck with dying - I searched for old threads about the topic but didn't have a ton of luck. If you've successfully dyed clothing (or would highly recommend against it), do let me know - thanks!

10 years ago

General

12 replies

Latest reply was from Olivegreen

Astrid

Veteran

I lucked out when I dyed some old H&M boys denim shorts last year, I now wear them again from time to time (I guess they're ten years old). I used Simplicol and dyed them in the washing machine. But the result was so good because the denim took the color differently with the weave - the shorts still have some depth when it comes to color. I dyed other denim and didn't wear the items afterwards because the color was way too uniform and "flat". I'm not sure if there's a way to recognize that beforehand.

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10 years ago

Helena

Veteran

Oh, those came out great Astrid! I'll keep an eye out for that brand of dye. Maybe I'll test on an old white t-shirt, although I guess the point is, depending on the fabric, the results may vary. Anyways, thanks for the reco and example!

10 years ago

carter

Veteran

I dyed a pair of white jeans (and a tank--not shown) last Summer. Lots of advice in the first thread.

Results in this thread. It worked great for me.

10 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

Yes, I thought so too! Simplicol is a German brand, available in all drugstores here. I'm not sure if they sell elsewhere.

10 years ago

donnat

Veteran

My daughter died some cotton dresses last summer in the backyard. (I wouldn't let her use my washing machine) they came out beautifully. They were light pastel colors, and she wanted black. She got a beautiful anthracite grey.
She tried dying some polyester lace, awful! It looked like I'd washed it with jeans. So I guess the amount of poly in the garment will effect how the dye takes.

10 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Tons of dyes and real information
http://www.dharmatrading.com/

An organic chemistry TA told me about them eons ago. Dying is OChem.

10 years ago

Kristin L

Veteran

I've had pretty good luck dyeing fabrics. The only thing to watch for is the thread. I've dyed a few things where the fabric was 100% cotton, but the thread wasn't. It made the thread stand out, but I still thought it looked pretty cool.

10 years ago

Vildy

Veteran

see if this is helpful
http://www.insideoutstyleblog......olour.html

10 years ago

annabelle

Veteran

I had a DKNY 85% silk 15% cashmere in light mint dyed to a beautiful mink color. I am sure it was most effective and predictable since it was a natural fiber. The colorist gave me a wide range of swatches to view, and she selected the dye to arrive at my desired shade. It was pretty amazing. If you are starting with white or off white, the resulting color should be even more predictable.

10 years ago

Sal

Veteran

I have had some good success over the years. I think results can be a little unpredictable though. Jeans often do have the stitching a different colour to the fabric, but that can look intentional.

10 years ago

Summer

Veteran

I've dyed many things over the years and mostly it's been successful. I use Dylon (not sure if that's available in US and Canada) which can be used in the washing machine.
A lot does depend on the fabric, with natural fibres taking the dye best. With poly blends the results can be unpredictable, and, as others have pointed out, the fibre content of the thread has to be considered, also.
I would think that your white denim should dye very well, but there's no guarantee, of course.
The only disadvantage of using a washing machine dye is that the dye sometimes lingers - especially in the door seal - even after the recommended cleaning cycle. Obviously, this is especially true when using a dark dye.
Good luck if you decide to go ahead.

10 years ago

Olivegreen

Active Member

I have good results with RIT dye in the washer, particularly for something as simple as tea stain level colour. I use hot water, a half cup of salt, and a smidge of soap and sometimes as much as twice as much dye as they recommend, for more consistent results. Also, I stop the machine in the hot soak cycle and let it rest for a few minutes, really sink in. Then churn, and stop it again. For about as long as I have patience
Another precaution if it looks like uneven dying is possible, is the stain removal wash beforehand, sometimes a little bleach, sometimes an actual colour and stain removal product.
I can overdye with rich colour if I have to, plaids are particularly beautiful when overdyed. Lots of fun. But like going to Vegas.

10 years ago

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