Glow Electric in Solar Power Yellow Jeans

We're absolutely loving Solar Power, one of the Pantone Top 10 colors for Spring/Summer. This bright yellow color radiates bold warmth and calls out for attention. Whether it's worn as a simple, yet powerful, accent shade or overall color statement, there's no way you'll overlook this season's hot color.

This super-intense shade is making a splash all over the fashion landscape from studded pencil suits -  to accented pump toes - to color pop nail polish.  Just check out how designers, Versace, Proenza Schouler and Burberry Prorsum are rocking the yellow power. Pretty, hot, right? Even Hollywood is getting into the action. Elizabeth Banks was positively sizzling in a Bill Blass sequin'd gown for the Hunger Games premiere this spring. 

• #593 Sweet Lilac 
• #476 Margarita 
• #594 Driftwood 
• #572 Cockatoo 
• #98 Tangerine Tango 
• #592 Sodalite Blue 

Now you can make your own Solar Power yellow sensation with our custom recipe #59 using Rit Petal Pink and Lemon Yellow dyes. Ready to get started?

Here’s the tutorial:

SUPPLIES:

• Rit Liquid Dye:  Lemon Yellow, Petal Pink
• White Jeans, 100% Cotton 
• 4-Cup Measuring Cup & Measuring Spoons
• Spoon for stirring dye
• 4-Gallon Container for Dyeing 
• Fabric Scrap for testing dye color
• Salt
• Dishwashing Liquid
• Rubber Gloves
• Paper Towels
• Plastic Table Cover

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.  Prewash jeans to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.

2.  How Much Dye to Use:  Weigh the dry jeans using a food scale.  These jeans weighed 16 ounces.  As a guideline, ½ cup (half bottle) of liquid dye will color up to 16 ounces of dry weight fabric.

Solar Power is custom color #59 in the Rit Color Formula Guide, located on the Yellow 3 color palette.  This recipe will color 1 ounce of dry weight fabric.  Since the jeans weighed 16 ounces, I multiplied the amount of dye needed for 1 ounce of fabric by 16.  The new recipe is listed below.  If you are dyeing a larger item, you will need more dye and more water.

3.  Preparing Dyebath:  Wearing rubber gloves, shake dye bottles.  Then measure and mix the following and stir well.

Solar Power  #59 Recipe

• 1 cup Lemon Yellow
• 2 Tbs. + 2 teas. Petal Pink
• 1 cup Salt
• 2 cups Hot Water

4.  Fill dishpan or bucket with 3 gallons very hot tap water (140° F).  Note:  If water is not hot enough, heat some water in a tea kettle or in the microwave. 

5.  Pour dye solution into hot water.  Add squirt of dishwashing liquid and 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.

6.  Wet jeans in warm water and squeeze out excess water.

7.  Immerse jeans in dye bath and stir continuously for 20 minutes, then occasionally for 10 minutes or until desired color is achieved.  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.

8.  Remove jeans from dye bath and squeeze out excess dye.  Rinse in cold running water until water runs clear.  Then wash jeans in warm water with mild detergent, rinse, dry and iron.