Community Chat

[feline groovy]

I'm a long-time blue denim (for bottoms) fan, plus a blue chambray (for tops) one.

Wear 'em as much as possible, LOL.

Although sometimes, I'd like to darken new (too-light-for-my-pear-shape) jeans, especially those whose: fit is fab.

Thought I'd share these how-to tips... HTH 

(via RitStudio.com)  

How To Make Old/New Faded Blue Jeans Darker

The slight shade variations results are shown left-to-right below: * using Denim * mixing Navy & Denim * using Navy * mixing Navy & Black.

1)

For best results, pre-wash jeans to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption. 

2)

Cover work surface with a plastic table cover.

3)

While jeans are still dry, weigh the jeans on a food scale, if possible.  

Otherwise estimate the weight. 

The weight helps to determine how much dye is needed. 

As a guideline, 1/2 cup dye will color up to 16 ounces of dry weight fabric. 

Men's jeans require more dye than ladies' jeans. 

For darker colors, we recommend doubling the amount of dye used.

4)

Use a large bucket so you can check the color frequently. 

5)

Measure 1 cup of salt and dissolve that in 4 cups (almost-boiling) very hot water. 

Stir until salt is dissolved. 

The salt helps to intensify the color on cotton fabrics.

6)

Fill 4-gallon container with 3 gallons very hot (almost boiling) water. 

Add the dissolved salt to the water and stir. 

Then add a squirt of dish washing liquid. 

Stir again.

7)

Dye Preparation: 

Choose the color of blue you like. 

Shake all dye bottles before measuring. 

Follow one of the 4 recipes: 

For a Navy & Denim combo, use 1/2 cup Navy and 1/2 cup Denim. 

Add to dye bath; stir well. 

Test dye color to be sure you are satisfied. 

Note: If color is too light, add more dye. If color is too dark, add more water.

For Denim, use 1 bottle of Denim dye. 

Shake bottle before measuring. 

Add to dye bath; stir well. 

Test dye color.

For Navy, use 1/2 cup of Navy or one bottle, depending on the the weight of the jeans. 

Add to dye bath; stir well. 

Test dye color.

For a Navy & Black combo, use 1/2 cup Navy and 1/4 cup Black. 

Shake dye bottles before measuring. 

Add to dye bath; stir well. 

Test dye color.

8)

Immerse wet jeans into dye bath. 

Wearing rubber gloves, lift and move jeans, stirring constantly for the first 10 minutes, and then occasionally for up to 30 minutes until desired color is achieved. 

Tongs are also helpful for lifting and lowering jeans. 

The longer the jeans remain in the dye bath, the darker the color will be. (Color will appear lighter when dry.) 

Stirring helps to ensure an even color.

9)

To help reduce color bleeding and improve color retention, treat jeans with Rit Color Stay Dye Fixative immediately after dyeing and before rinsing. 

Remove jeans from dye bath and squeeze out excess dye. 

Fill container with 3 gallons hot water and add 4 Tablespoons dye fixative; stir well. 

Immerse jeans in fixative, stirring occasionally for 20 minutes.

10)

Remove jeans and rinse in cold water until water begins to run clear. 

Then wash jeans separately with an old towel in the washing machine with warm water and a mild detergent. 

Rinse and dry.

[SilleeMee]

But the thing is...when you dye anything with contrast-stitching, like blue jeans have, the stitching gets colored as well. I don't like that. I like to have contrast stitching.

[bri20]

I guess I'm too lazy to do all that. I just buy dark wash jeans.

[Zhills]

Buy a cheap pair of dark blue jeans and wash them together!  The new ones will fade onto the old ones.

[feline groovy]

@SilleeMee wrote:

But the thing is...when you dye anything with contrast-stitching, like blue jeans have, the stitching gets colored as well. I don't like that. I like to have contrast stitching.

Me too, but I like my butt looking smaller better. ;-)

---

[feline groovy]

In what temperature water, @Zhills?

[ROMARY]

I'm guessing that the hot, almost boiling water would shrink my jeans...............I could swe*r that I have run across tie- dye kits that require using cold water only.  I have a feeling that cold-water dyes are available somewhere.  Which, if available, I would try using them.

[Zhills]

I always washed in warm.  Some hot is hot enough to shrink the jeans that fit!

[gidgetgh]

Just reading the original post exhausted me. I can't even imagine. I'll just buy them dark to begin with. 

[feline groovy]

@ROMARY

Just don't put 'em in the dryer.

In fact, always wash jeans inside-out in cold water if possible, then hang to dry from the hems.

Helps the fabric and keeps the length. 8)