Dying clothes - wool, what could go wrong

Sep 24, 20 2:08

Post #1 of 21 (1593 views)

So I have a wool top, it needs to change colour, it's a lairy line green

I want to make it black, but will settle for something darker.

So, armed with the Internet I have dylon hand-wash dye. Because its green I have to add red to make it darker.

I can follow the instructions, the correct mix, 40 degree water, salt etc but how do I know if the dye will take? What happens if it doesn't? I read some fabrics might not have the capacity to absorb colour. Then what happens?

Re: Dying clothes - wool, what could go wrong [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]

Sep 24, 20 3:32

Post #2 of 21 (1578 views)

i've never tried dying wool, but Dylon has worked well for me with other fabrics and if you have wool-specific dye it is worth a shot, especially with lime green.

Do they recommend doing it in a tub or the machine? Add salt?

To watch out for -- if there are any synthetic threads at all they won't take (meaning seams). Buttons will not take.

Dyeing is fun though -- would love to see before and afters

Re: Dying clothes - wool, what could go wrong [kiki] [ In reply to ]

Sep 24, 20 4:04

Post #3 of 21 (1552 views)

It says 98% wool. 2% elastane. So I'm guessing the elastane stays green?

I will work on photos. Waitinf for dye to arrive

Re: Dying clothes - wool, what could go wrong [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]

Sep 24, 20 4:12

Post #4 of 21 (1549 views)

it probably will, but with the percentage so low it may not matter. If the top is a write-off otherwise, worth the experiment.

You did say hand wash. I'd also be sure the dye is thoroughly distributed and the tub or sink is big enough. May need to swish, depending on instructions.

Re: Dying clothes - wool, what could go wrong [kiki] [ In reply to ]

Oct 1, 20 5:45

Post #5 of 21 (1411 views)

Last edited by: Andrewmc: Oct 1, 20 5:51

Re: Dying clothes - wool, what could go wrong [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]

Oct 1, 20 5:54

Post #6 of 21 (1398 views)

So overall, a significant improvement. The stitching is clearly nylon, and the zips didn't change but the sleeves ans hood are black-ish and the body is much darker.

I don't think the body could absorb any more dye. Dylon told me it may not and I added one red and 2 black and this is as dark as it would go.

A great improvement

Re: Dying clothes - wool, what could go wrong [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]

Oct 1, 20 6:59

Post #7 of 21 (1378 views)

Robin Hood no more!

thanks for the pics, fun experiment

Re: Dying clothes - wool, what could go wrong [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]

Apr 28, 21 6:50

Post #8 of 21 (1234 views)

hey are you still happy with the dye job?

am thinking of dying my Tilly hat. They're fashionable all of a sudden.

Re: Dying clothes - wool, what could go wrong [kiki] [ In reply to ]

Apr 28, 21 7:38

Post #9 of 21 (1199 views)

Yes. I think it's faded a little but still much better than it was originally

Re: Dying clothes - wool, what could go wrong [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]

Apr 28, 21 8:41

Post #10 of 21 (1170 views)

Looked good both before and after. Lime green and other dayglo colors should be back on trend any day now, then on to the pastels! I keep looking for a late ‘80’s Club-A ski jacket to channel my inner Mike Hattrup ...

drn92

Re: Dying clothes - wool, what could go wrong [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]

Apr 28, 21 8:42

Post #11 of 21 (1168 views)

Andrewmc wrote:

Yes. I think it's faded a little but still much better than it was originally

Glad you like it. I think you ruined it though, but I'm a day-glo kind of gal.

clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

Re: Dying clothes - wool, what could go wrong [kiki] [ In reply to ]

May 12, 21 13:43

Post #12 of 21 (1089 views)

I bought a white jean jacket. I look like a high-strung bitch in it. I want to dye it a better color. Denim color makes sense because it’s denim. How can I get to a good, mellow color?

Advice?

Re: Dying clothes - wool, what could go wrong [CallMeMaybe] [ In reply to ]

May 12, 21 14:05

Post #13 of 21 (1073 views)

Tie dye it. Mellow city.

Or... give it to spaghetti lady and let her do her magic on it.

Last edited by: knewbike: May 12, 21 14:07

Re: Dying clothes - wool, what could go wrong [knewbike] [ In reply to ]

May 12, 21 16:28

Post #14 of 21 (1037 views)

Tie dying takes skill, man. I’ve tried tie dying a few times and have not been successful.

That psycho spaghetti lady wears white jackets, I guarantee it. You saw her shirt & counter.

Re: Dying clothes - wool, what could go wrong [CallMeMaybe] [ In reply to ]

May 12, 21 16:45

Post #15 of 21 (1027 views)

check out a hardware store or amazon for machine dyes. It's really easy with 100% cotton and if you do it right it won't mess up your machine.

the spaghetti lady recommends red.

Re: Dying clothes - wool, what could go wrong [kiki] [ In reply to ]

May 12, 21 19:26

Post #16 of 21 (996 views)

I have some Rit dye. Do I need to use a “fixer”? Or salt? I’d love to add a lot of salt.

I’m really bad at following recipes. That mess I made with 2 sticks of butter and mushrooms and windy’s recipe was horrible. It was good until it was just awful!

Re: Dying clothes - wool, what could go wrong [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]

May 12, 21 22:44

Post #17 of 21 (979 views)

i used to dye wool (spun and unspun)

jacquard acid dyes are great. you cook the wool and the wool soaks up all the color, and you end up with almost clear water. you let the water cool, so the wool does not felt.

i would have picked black dye, if you wanted a black or almost black end product. you could give it another try.

Re: Dying clothes - wool, what could go wrong [CallMeMaybe] [ In reply to ]

May 12, 21 23:48

Post #18 of 21 (971 views)

CallMeMaybe wrote:

Tie dying takes skill, man. I’ve tried tie dying a few times and have not been successful.

What skill? You tie, you dye. I learnt how in primary school in 1969.

CallMeMaybe wrote:

That psycho spaghetti lady wears white jackets, I guarantee it. You saw her shirt & counter.

No we didn't. You took down the link, while still ranting about it. (The kind of behaviour we expect from someone who wears white denim).

Re: Dying clothes - wool, what could go wrong [CallMeMaybe] [ In reply to ]

May 13, 21 3:19

Post #19 of 21 (952 views)

CallMeMaybe wrote:

I have some Rit dye. Do I need to use a “fixer”? Or salt? I’d love to add a lot of salt.

I’m really bad at following recipes. That mess I made with 2 sticks of butter and mushrooms and windy’s recipe was horrible. It was good until it was just awful!

I don't know how old your dye is -- some of the older ones required salt. In the new ones it's part of the formula, fixative built right in.

have a look for machine dyes for cotton on Amazon. The Q&As will tell you how complicated it is (not at all). The hardest part is choosing a color.

Re: Dying clothes - wool, what could go wrong [Bone Idol] [ In reply to ]

May 13, 21 8:32

Post #20 of 21 (914 views)

Bone Idol wrote:

CallMeMaybe wrote:

Tie dying takes skill, man. I’ve tried tie dying a few times and have not been successful.

What skill? You tie, you dye. I learnt how in primary school in 1969.

CallMeMaybe wrote:

That psycho spaghetti lady wears white jackets, I guarantee it. You saw her shirt & counter.

No we didn't. You took down the link, while still ranting about it. (The kind of behaviour we expect from someone who wears white denim).

I took the video down out of respect for you. Also, I have my own soul to consider. Our big new puppy (50lbs!) pooped (~1lb!) in the hallway again last night. I woke up and thought the house was on fire (smell!). I’m not out of the woods yet vis a vis that video.

Re: Dying clothes - wool, what could go wrong [kiki] [ In reply to ]

May 13, 21 8:33

Post #21 of 21 (911 views)

kiki wrote:

The hardest part is choosing a color.

Truth. Thank you.

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