Mom and I were talking last week about the truck load (okay, maybe not quite that much) of lace I has mailed to my cyber friend Nicklee for dying. She is the Queen of Dyed Lace...and I begged her to do some of mine. Didn't really think I had a lot...until I started pulling from all my many drawers and boxes.
Anway, I found a few more pieces that did not get mailed. Mom asked "why can't you dye it yourself". After I quit laughing, I explained what I knew about dyes, permanent inks, curing, rayon vs nylon, ... took me about 3 minutes cause I don't know much. ;)
But, in talking about permanent inks, I tolk Mom about a television program that Renee (another super cyber pal) had seen where they use aloe vera to float the ink. She said we should try and see if that would work with food coloring. So, hey, why not...it might cost me a few pieces of lace...but I 'apparently' have a lot!
So we drug out our food coloring gels and the aloe-vera and water and paint brushes. We mixed our magic formula (a squirt of this, a dab of that) and started painting. We were so excited at the marvelous colors that we could do with this dye!! Wish now, I had been smart enough to take photos of the process...sorry. We painted and then we 'cooked' them in the microwave for a minute. Rinsed them again...and let them air dry. Gorgeous laces!
When we finished...some hours later...I took the laces to the sink. Figured, I had best wash them off to ensure all of the residual food coloring was gone. And, yep, you probably guessed it...most of them came out white or cream again! We had a good laugh...and hours of fun doing them.
And, although all of them washed out terribly and some totally...we don't regret the experience and the fun! But, Nickilee...
you've got a p
ermanent position as my lace dyer... :)
Here's what did make it, and what didn't.
Anway, I found a few more pieces that did not get mailed. Mom asked "why can't you dye it yourself". After I quit laughing, I explained what I knew about dyes, permanent inks, curing, rayon vs nylon, ... took me about 3 minutes cause I don't know much. ;)
But, in talking about permanent inks, I tolk Mom about a television program that Renee (another super cyber pal) had seen where they use aloe vera to float the ink. She said we should try and see if that would work with food coloring. So, hey, why not...it might cost me a few pieces of lace...but I 'apparently' have a lot!
So we drug out our food coloring gels and the aloe-vera and water and paint brushes. We mixed our magic formula (a squirt of this, a dab of that) and started painting. We were so excited at the marvelous colors that we could do with this dye!! Wish now, I had been smart enough to take photos of the process...sorry. We painted and then we 'cooked' them in the microwave for a minute. Rinsed them again...and let them air dry. Gorgeous laces!
When we finished...some hours later...I took the laces to the sink. Figured, I had best wash them off to ensure all of the residual food coloring was gone. And, yep, you probably guessed it...most of them came out white or cream again! We had a good laugh...and hours of fun doing them.
And, although all of them washed out terribly and some totally...we don't regret the experience and the fun! But, Nickilee...
you've got a p
ermanent position as my lace dyer... :)Here's what did make it, and what didn't.
2 friendly comments:
Kathy, I had to laugh. It reminded me of myself. Sometimes we just have to do things to see if we can. If you want to give it another try, I'll tell how my experiment went. I took fabric paint and diluted with water, and painted fabric with it. It was permanent, because we I made a mistake I couldn't get it out, LOL. I have also heard that the aloe vera keeps it from feeling stiff. Your laces are beautiful. And there can be no better way to spend a day then doing something you love with your mother. Seems to me your CQ has rubbed off on her just a bit. Has she made and CQ pieces?
I dye cloth for the theatre. If I don't have the correct color I get something white and dye the color I want.
I use Ritz dye, I have little bottles of save dye for small projects. What I wanted to tell you is that when you dye you need to set it with Vinegar and salt and one drop of liquid soap. Then when you wash it it will fade a bit but not wash out to white. I learned my lesson years ago.
I would try it. I use powdered dye, because I can control the amount I use. Since you are dyeing thing different colors , use your paint brushes or q-tips to transfer the dye. Leave it and let it dry natural.
It is hard to explain, but it can be done. Heat setting with the vinegar and salt should keep it from washing out completely.
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