DIYs How To Dye Fabric For Beginners

Looking for simple tips on how to dye fabric and all the things, but you are a beginner? No worries. Here are all the tips.

Everyone needs a friend like my friend Ginger.

If I had a flat tire at 2:30 in the morning? Guess who I’d call? Ginger.

If I needed an outfit idea for the Academy Awards? Guess who I’d call? Ginger.

If I made the unfortunate mistake of cutting my own bangs and needed someone to straighten me out (literally)? Guess who I’d call? Ginger.

If you are ever a contestant on “Who Wants To Be a Millionaire” and you need a phone a friend, just let me know and I’ll give you Ginger’s number.

Somehow.

Someway.

Ginger knows all the secrets of the universe.

Case in point—these pillows.

They used to be another color.

And then there was Ginger. She taught herself to transform ANYTHING with a little bit of Rit Dye—like pillows and throws and pillows and all the things.

I asked her for all the tips and she gave me all her secrets and showed me something that I didn’t even know you could dye.

Something that looks like this.

Yep.

A shell.

She EVEN dyed a shell.

Can you believe it?

I asked her what else she’d dyed and I did a little research on some other things that people have dyed and came up with a list of suggestions:

pillows
curtains
towels
clothespins
doilies
wooden vases
tea towels
tablecloth
napkins
small throw rugs
scrabble tiles
picture frames
baskets
cork boards

I wanted to start with a little inspiration because this is such a COST EFFECTIVE way to make things fit your current decor. Remember when we talked about spray paint and I shared 9 things you could change up with spray paint?

This is JUST like that post.

Except even better.

// These Rit Dye Color Suggestions //

Let’s start with what you want to use to dye fabrics and other things.

Rit Dye is the leader in this category.

If you’ve every dyed anything before—you probably used a bottle that looks like this.

Rit Dye comes in a zillion colors and I put together some of the best dye colors here.

Now that you know the dye to use—here are some simple steps to dye fabric (then we’ll discuss other surfaces).

How To Dye Fabric

1. WASH your fabric. This is SUPER important step because sometimes fabric has a finish on it or sizing that will prevent the dye from soaking into the fabric, so make sure to wash your fabric before you dye it.

2. Always, always, always dye wet fabric according to Ginger. Make sure it’s wet before you dye it so the dye applies itself evenly.

3. Ginger’s best tip to make sure the fabric comes out with an even application of dye is to use a large tub like this one.

4. Add hot water to the tub (note: the exact amount of water depends on how intense you want the dye color to be and the size of what you are dyeing.

5. Follow the directions on the back of the bottle to figure out the exact amount of dye to add to the water and make sure it’s mixed up evenly.

6. After your dye is ready—completely submerged in the water and then continually stir the fabric.

7. The amount of time completely depends on the dye and the fabric. Check the back of the bottle for timing.

8. Remove the fabric from the dye bath and rinse it in cool water until the water runs clear. For darker colors, you may need to rinse with warm water to remove all the dye.

9. For the final step you can either wash the dyed fabric in the washing machine (make sure to wash it by itself so the dye doesn’t get on any other fabrics or clothes) or let it air dry.

That’s IT.

Wasn’t that easy?

Here is a curtain Ginger dyed so you can see the before and after.

The fabric had a cream background and she dyed it blue.

Can you imagine the same fabric dyed brown? Or a pale pink.

See what I mean? The possibilities are endless.

And here are some extra tips if you want to take on a dyeing project:

Here we go:

Dyeing can get messy, so wear gloves and old clothes you don’t mind getting stained.
Natural fibers like cotton and linen usually take dye best.
Each dye comes with its own set of instructions. Don’t skip a step!
Give the dye plenty of time to set in. Check the dye’s instructions for specific time recommendations.
You might need to use a vinegar or salt solution to help set the dye and prevent it from fading.
Avoid direct sunlight when drying your dyed fabric because it can fade the color.

And here are some tips for dyeing wood:

Rough up the surface to help the dye penetrate and ensure a more even color.
Dyeing wood can get messy. Wear gloves, a mask, and old clothes to keep yourself clean.
There are oil-based, water-based, and alcohol-based dyes. Each has its own characteristics, so consider your wood type and desired finish.
It’s always wise to try the dye on a small, hidden area of the wood first. This way, you can see how the color will turn out before committing to the whole project.
Apply the dye with a brush, a sponge, or even a rag.
Give the dye plenty of time to dry completely before using.