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Faire Garb => Sewing => Topic started by: LadyStitch on July 30, 2008, 08:51:41 AM

Title: Dying fabric
Post by: LadyStitch on July 30, 2008, 08:51:41 AM
My hubby has gotten it into his head that he wants to make some pastel/flamingo pink linen shirts (see other thread)  Since he wants to save money he wants to simply dye 5-6 yards of natural linen to make the shirts.

I've got a place i can order raw linen from but he has his heart set on picking it up at Joann's  ::)  (We could get the pink he wants for $8 a yard, why dye it??? )

I've dyed that much cotton before in a washer, but that was when I was over seas.  We don't have the same dyes here.  I know Rit Dye works great for 100% cotton & linen items. 

What dyes would you recomend for polyester blend fabrics.  When I was over seas there was a bottle of dye that had 3 different types in it, so it would dye about anything.  I just don't remember what it was. 

Suggestions?
Title: Re: Dying fabric
Post by: gem on July 30, 2008, 11:49:59 AM
Could you quickly just clarify something for us?  First, is this *linen* fabric you're looking at, or "linen-look" fabric with polyester content?   Second, is your husband qualified to make this decision? LOL  ;D

Seriously--save yourself the hassle and just get the pink 100% linen from Fabrics-store.com (http://www.fabrics-store.com/first.php?goto=showarticles&menu=f&article=3&n=32&printed=).  I've heard that linen can be a bear to dye, and anything polyester won't dye at all, so...
Title: Re: Dying fabric
Post by: isabelladangelo on July 31, 2008, 07:01:29 AM
Like Gem said, save yourself the hassle and just buy the pink linen.  I have some really bright pink linen that I think I bought at www.fabric.com .   I need to wash it and hope it bleeds a bit... 
Title: Re: Dying fabric
Post by: LadyStitch on August 02, 2008, 06:40:26 PM
Turns out he didn't want to dye the linen, but instead the 100% cotton Twill. 

We found some Dylon Dye that can dye both cotton and polyester.

He actually is a theater guy himself so he has a clue.  ;D