Tea Dying Tips

RE: Tea Dying Tips Post By Judy G. (Guest Post) (07/10/2008) Any suggestions for tea dyeing with a high efficiency washing machine? I can't just "fill with hot water". (This has cut down on my felting projects as well.) Report Spam or Abuse RE: Tea Dying Tips Post By Claudia -MD (Guest Post) (03/09/2006) The key to any dyeing project (whether tea-staining or Rit dye-type product) is to be sure that the fabric is wet before you immerse it in the dye bath and be sure that you use a large enough vessel that the fabric isn't crowded. If you don't follow these two rules, you are likely to get a blotchy, uneven result. I would use a basement sink (if you have one) or the bathtub. (You can probably get the tub clean by using a solution of bleach afterward, especially since you aren't going to be using an intense/dark dye bath.) I can't tell from your description ("Cotton and linen material") whether the skirt is a fabric blend or is made up of several different fabrics in panels or patches. If the latter, each fabric is likely to take the dye differently so you may get several different shades/intensities of the color throughout the garment. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Tea Dying Tips Post By Diana (Guest Post) (03/09/2006) I dyed an old childrens christening gown (about 50 years old) using left over coffee Placed my gown in the sink poured coffee over the dress, allowed to soak until desired color achieved allowed to air dry will be lighter when dry-very pretty ivory color achieved with NO Cost! Report Spam or Abuse RE: Tea Dying Tips Post by Vicka (94) | (03/08/2006) Profile | Contact I "Lipton Tea" dyed some floor length gauzey cotton curtains and the long drapey thing that hangs on top, in my biggest pot (about 24' tall and 18" or so in diameter). I steeped a large box of tea bags (with the tags torn off) in boiling hot water as if I was brewing tea. Then diluted it with enough water to cover the fabric. I tested for color on some medical gauze. I wet the curtains in my washer and spun them out good, so they would go into the tea wet to avoid dark spots. I soaked the curtains several hours in the pot, dumped them in my washer and spun them out. After I removed them from the washer, I quickly rinsed the washer. I dried the curtains outside. They have been hanging in my office for 2 or 3 years and have just begun to fade a little, so I will do them again. They turned a beautiful antiquey, medium, brown. They felt a little stiff at first but that might be avoidable by a rinse before drying. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Tea Dying Tips Post By jean (Guest Post) (03/08/2006) You could use your washer on the gentle cycle. Turn your hot water tank up high temporarily, and use lots of tea bags (bought at the dollar store of course). Cut a couple of test pieces of material from the hem or seams of your skirt, to see the time needed for the effect you want. If you don't want to use your washer, use a large bucket in your laundry tub to soak the skirt, and just use your spin cycle when it is done. Tea dying means the water has to be hot, but it does not have to boil. If you can turn your hot water tank up high temporarily, you can get water that is hot enough. Try the test strips no matter what method you use. I have tea dyed a cotton shirt, and some bone jewelry that was too white. I got a nice "antiquey" look. I used a bucket with really hot water and the spin cycle. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Tea Dying Tips Post by brtammy (3) | (03/08/2006) Contact I wouldnt think unless the fabric was thin like sheer curtains, [who would have a pot that big?] and what a mess trying to wring it out. are you sure there isnt a dye from the store that may work, try a fabric store they may carry more choices, and then use your washers gentle cycle. also consider your fabric content, if its all cotton maybe try a blend of two colors, if its got any nylon or polyester in it it will tint lighter than cotton would, good luck brtammy Report Spam or Abuse