Cooking with Rit tan dye
Friday, April 10, 2009
Too bad we aren't making cookies today!!! Maybe tomorrow. Today I want to show you how to overdye chenille trim. I love chenille trim. It can cover a ton of imperfections when putting together a sewing box or pincushion. I'm working on a pincushion for the next loose feather pattern and I need the chenille trim....but I want it over dyed. White just won't work for this project. I thought this is the perfect time to show you how I do this. First I get my trusty spaghetti jar. Really any jar is fine. This just happens to be a good size. Fill it about 1/3 full with hot tap water. (Or give it a minute in the microwave.)
Put 3 tablespoons of the dye into the hot water. Put the cap on the jar and shake the dye to dissolve all of the dye crystals. If you don't do this you will see red and yellow tiny spots on your trim. 
Add the chenille trim. 
Put the cap back on the jar and shake the trim in the dye bath.
I want my trim evenly dyed...so I shook this quite a bit. If a mottled appearance is what you're looking for, don't shake the trim in the dye bath as much. I left it in the dye bath for about a minute. 
Take the trim out, rinse and squeeze out the excess water. Hang to air dry. When it's dry it turns out fluffy.
This sewing box was a class project Barb and I taught this past year. The papier-mâché boxes we use are not always made perfectly. Any uneven areas in the lid are hidden with the chenille trim. The trim is glued around the edge of the papier-mâché box and gives a finished look. I over dye rick rack and ribbons using this same method. It's a great way to handle dyeing small trims. When you are done put the lid back on the jar and you can save the dye for a period of time....I wouldn't save it for 5 years...but it should last for a month or so.
Warning....make sure the jar is labeled dye bath...or poison...or dangerous....so your kids won't think you made them some ice tea.
Thank you for your comments. I enjoy reading all of them. This blogging is great! I feel like it's a sewing group of friends.
Alma
23 comments
That's a beautiful design Alma! Do you have any plans to release it as a chart at some point?
ReplyDeleteAlma,
ReplyDeleteWhere can a person find that trim? I have not seen it anywhere.
Also the loose feather you mention, is it the Peacock Pincushion....? I am the proud owner of it already.......Amy
I love the design Alma. And thank you for posting how to dye the trim. I've been wanting to try dyeing - just haven't had the nerve, but your method seems quite fool-proof!
ReplyDeletebeautiful design, and great instructions for the dyeing, thank you
ReplyDeleteYou are always so creative, Alma! I too would love to know when you're releasing your past class pieces. But I'd also love to know if you'll release them with the boxes! :D Or if there's a source for them. I love the piece you taught at the Attic last year! As for dyeing things, I'm always scared to try. But I suppose I should just go for it sometime....
ReplyDeleteI love the phrase "a sewing group of friends!" That's exactly what blogging is for me...I learn so much from others!
ReplyDeleteAlma, you do such a nice job of finishing. What is your source for the chenille trim? Do you use glue and if so, what kind? Thank you so much for all of your inspiration. Glad you have a blog!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you to you Alma, for your treasure secret finishing.I agree with you it seems to be a team all bloggers together.Happy Easter friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you Alma for the great instructions. I look forward to many more postings!
ReplyDeletePat
Such fine instructions, thanks so much for the time it took to snap the pics and share with us! That design is beautiful, as is the box finish. SO glad that you are blogging, what an asset to the stitching community to have you with us!;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Great Tip of Dyeing in the Jar..always tend to go for a Bowl...Love that Trim haven't seen it here in OZ..looks Lovely.
ReplyDeletecheers
I too want to thank you for your very clear directions for the dying. I didn't know that the chenille puffs up when it's been washed and everything that I've seen has been a little flat - so I thought I was looking at the wrong trim. And thank you for such a wonderful blog - I'm really enjoying reading your posts!
ReplyDeleteGreat directions! I am so glad to have found your blog!
ReplyDeleteThank you Alma, my goodness you make it all look so simple. I have found blogging to be the same for me. Everyone is so generous and sharing with the talents. Happy Easter to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteLove the directions and the jar method. I have some tan chenille, needs some antiquing and this would be perfect. I usually use walnut spray, so I will have to try the rit tan.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Hi Alma,
ReplyDeletethank you for your instruction trim :)
Love your blog :)
Greetings from Italy,
Mila :)
I hope Rit never goes out of business.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the pictures along with the directions--much appreciated for a visual learner! ;) The design is wonderful, Alma! I feel the same about blogging. Kind of like a Internet stitching bee. :)
ReplyDeletethanks so much for the dyeing trim directions, you make it look so easy! can't wait to try it out for myself. Tammy
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this post.
ReplyDelete¡Me encanta tu blog! Y tus diseños son maravillosos.
ReplyDeleteUn saludo, María.
thank you a bunch for all these tips :everything looks so easier here !
ReplyDeletedear Barb and Alma I wil send you my picture tomorrow because my camera doesnt do it .
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Holland.
Truus de Wild
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