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Dying fabrics?

Maya

Veteran

I have this jacket I bought from Anthropologie years ago, before YLF. The only real problem, and it's a big one, is that it is the evil beige color. I really want to salvage it though. It's finely waled cotton corduroy so it should be receptive to dye. The problem of course is that it's a jacket, and I don't want to dye EVERYTHING (like hardware and the lining), so I don't think I can do it myself. Are there any people or places who would do this professionally?

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....0956-2.jpg

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20 replies

Latest reply was from chewyspaghetti

anne

Veteran

Good question Maya. because it is a lovely jacket!

bella

(website)

Veteran

Some dry cleaners might do it.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I was going to suggest asking your dry cleaner, too. I have a small hand dyed yarn company, but I wouldn't touch a project like that myself!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I can’t believe you blocked out your pretty face!

Great jacket. Does it still look bad with black, white or red underneath it?

I hope Eva chimes in. She is the queen of dying.

Maya

Veteran

This is an old picture Angie (evidenced by my long hair), from back when we all used to block our faces!

Whenever I go to wear it I always end up taking it off and wearing something else, I suspect because of the color. It looks so dull and almost dirty to me. Wearing white next to it just makes it look worse. I'm wearing red in the picture. Don't think I have tried black yet.

I eagerly await a response from Eva. Otherwise it goes on ebay.

taylor

Veteran

I used to dye alot, problem is it stains the inside of the washer!!! I had an old one I kept in the garage..good one inside. Anyway you need a heavy dye dose if you want to go black. You need steaming hot water...just enough to cover the garment. Let it soak for quite awhile. Another problem...must be rinsed ALOT so it doesn't bleed in future washings. Also the black on a light color...looks grey and may need repeated dyeing.

I woud only suggest this on a black (navy or anything dark)garment that has perhaps faded or something like that, also need an old washer,or perhaps a bucket. Also on a jacket of that quality...or anything that needs to be dry cleaned ,the structure and lining will be compomised if it gets wet.

So if anyone else has had better success with this, I would love to hear it. Best find a pro.

Maya

Veteran

I don't think I would dare attempt it myself. It's too complicated regardless of color. I don't know if it's even possible to do one side without doing the lining. I just didn't know if it could be done by someone else. Is the dry cleaner advice just a hunch or is this a common practice among dry cleaners?

shiny

Veteran

Why wouldn't you dye the whole thing, lining and all? What color is the lining?

I think Kasmira has done some dying - did she have a challenge on her blog recently on this same topic, or am I confusing her with someone else? I know I've seen this topic talked about on numerous fashion blogs lately. Try a search?

Maya

Veteran

Shiny, the lining has a cute pattern that I wouldn't want to change. I have tried to do a search but the garments that come up are simpler. It seems like it would be a very complicated job, if it's possible at all. I suppose if I had to sacrifice the lining to dye it, it wouldn't be the end of the world--it's just the lining after all. No one can see it anyway.

You know, this jacket actually came in denim but I didn't get it because I always wear jeans so I thought this one would be more versatile. I could kick myself now.

I read about dyeing on Imogen's blog but again, this is quite complex.

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Is the color that bad, I like beige. Is it just not right for your coloring? Dying sounds frightening unless professionally done. It is a really cute jacket, I would try it with black as Angie suggested.

JewelryGirl

Maya, This might help.... http://whatiwore2day.blogspot......erdye.html

Eva

One thing about dying it yourself, you have be ready to give up the item in case things don't work out - especially if you drastically change colors. So if you were going to toss the jacket, then you might want to give it a try.

The dyes only take on natural fabric. So if the jacket is 100% cotton, it should take. If the thread is synthetic, then the dye won't take. The same applies to the lining - although some dye might stick to the lining. It looks like the hardwear is metal, so that won't take the dye either.

One of the issues I see, is that you need a lot of stuff. That is why it is usually only worth doing it yourself if you do a bunch of items. You will need dye (of course), soda ash, and synthropol at a minimum.

If you are still game to try it, here is more information. I recommend using Dharma Fiber Reactive Procion Dyes. Below is a link to Dharma's page. Don't get scared away by the weird and wild samples, you are not making rainbow tie dyes, you will be tub dying (in a plastic or metal tub) one color. (The color lasts. I tried to bleach a dyed shirt and it wouldn't lighten.) There is also a lot of helpful information on their web page.
http://www.dharmatrading.com/h.....=dyes.html

Let us know what you think you will do. What color are you thinking of?

Maya

Veteran

Thanks for all the info Eva. I don't think it's 100% cotton. It has a tiny bit of stretch, like 1-2% spandex. Does that affect things?

I'm a little unsure about color. At first I wanted to have a rich dark color like burgundy or ink blue but now I'm wondering if such a dramatic change is a hot idea, especially since I haven't done it before. Now I'm wondering if it's a better idea to just darken the current color to more of a caramel. Although pink also appeals to me....hmm...

I hate to toss it because it was expensive and I even had the waist taken in to fit me. The only other option is to sell it and I doubt I would get as much for it as I spent.

Eva

I have dyed fabrics up to 5% spandex that looked fine.

I would pick the color you like and go for it. Of course if you pick a lighter color, you could go darker later. ..but you may not want to go through the process again. And of course, you will need to buy more dye.

Maya

Veteran

Are there any considerations to take when choosing a color? Like will some need a second "coat" (I don't know what you would call it...)? I am waffling between caramel and inky blue.

Oh and Jean, I missed your post. I think the jacket could definitely work on you, but on me it looks quite bad. It is scary, but since I can't wear it anyway, I figured it's worth a try. Now that it's warm out I thought it would make an interesting experiment (I wouldn't dare try it in the house).

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Maya- I can send you dye and synthropol if you want. You will only need a little bit, and it's not worth ordering.

Anonymous

Don't you have to consider the color that it already is when you dye it? For instance you say you like pink, but since it is beige, won't the pink be very dirty looking?
I would go with the caramel myself, for that reason.

Maya

Veteran

Good question San. I was thinking about a jacket I saw at the Gap a few years back that was also fine corduroy and it was a kind of muted pink. Now that I think of it though, muted colors are generally awful on me, so that's probably a bad idea.

CS, thank you for the offer! Do you do a lot of dying? I will let you know when I decide to do the deed (probably not for a while).

Eva

You are right San. The original color should be considered. I thought the jacket looked fairly light and it depends on the tone of pink.

I have soda ash and synthropol too, but I have them at another house and couldn't get it to you for at least a month.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I have a small hand dyed yarn company that I do from home, so I buy dye by the pound. Business has slowed a lot, so I am not doing much dying these days, but I still have all of the stuff sitting around.