topic Re: Dying fabric in Community Chat

Dying fabric

Demitra1 — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 20:57:54 GMT

I would like to dye some 100% polyester doilies for a church project. I didn't think it would be a problem, but when I started to be Rit dye, the bottle said not to use on polyester. A big UGH. I went all over finding the doilies and now don't know what to do.

Anyone have any experience with something like this? I wonder if I could dilute food coloring or something natural. I'm not really locked into a particular color, but need it to be pretty.

Any thoughts? TIA. Demitra

Re: Dying fabric

muttmom — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 21:29:38 GMT

Polyester is tricky. I'd try dyeing just 1.

Re: Dying fabric

Q4u — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 21:34:47 GMT

You can buy Polyester Fabric dye on Amazon, however often the color isn't exact.

Also U-Tube can provide you with How To Dye Polyester.

Polyester, as a man-made fabric isn't conducive to absorbing color dye and one of the reasons it is impervious to most stains.... Good luck!

Re: Dying fabric

riley1 — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 21:40:22 GMT

Poly is tricky to dye. Go to dharma trading co. They have a lot of different dyes for different fabrics, etc

Re: Dying fabric

Demitra1 — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 21:45:28 GMT

Thanks for the advice. I have to decorate for next Sunday so don't really have time to order a special dye. I guess I will revamp my plans. I just didn't think of the potential problem. Lesson learned.

I would even use paper doilies if I could find them in colors. I have bought pink around Valentine's Day, but haven't noticed colors any other time.

Why do I think of decorating projects that turn out to be so difficult..... Grrrrrr.

Re: Dying fabric

tansy — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 21:48:07 GMT

If there's a JoAnne's near you, there's a Jacquard dye that is supposed to dye poly.

I bet a party supply store would carry colored doiles -- at least silver and gold ones.

Re: Dying fabric

sidsmom — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 00:28:13 GMT

How about painting them?

Re: Dying fabric

riley1 — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 00:40:31 GMT

Good idea sidsmom - or how about spray painting they sell spray paint in michaels

Re: Dying fabric

muttmom — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 00:44:47 GMT

Won't paint make the doilies stiff?

Re: Dying fabric

sidsmom — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 00:50:46 GMT

There are fabric paints...used for sweatshirts, shoes, etc.

Re: Dying fabric

jaxs mom — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 00:55:09 GMT

I second going to Dharma Trading Co website, they have dye for polyester. Although I've only their procion dye.

Re: Dying fabric

ROMARY — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 14:23:54 GMT

There are fabric spray paints, too. Just watched a segment on one of the TV morning shows a week or two ago, spray painting (and also brush painting) a skirt and crochet sweater. No mention of the fabric, though.