Oh My, It's An Ombré Over-dyed Sundress

Feminine Florals are all the rage this summer. Well, I had a rather ho-hum floral sundress stashed in my wardrobe, that I never wear.  Then, I got the idea to overdye it with an ombré dyeing in Aquamarine, my favorite color, to give it a little more pizzazz!  Now it’s become one of my “go-to” dresses.  Let me show you how easy it is to dye your own ombré loveliness!

Here's the tutorial...

SUPPLIES:

• 100% Cotton Print Sundress with White Background
• Rit Liquid Dye:  Aquamarine
• Measuring Cups & Spoons
• Large 3-Gallon Plastic Container for dyeing
• Large Spoon for stirring dye
• Salt
• Dishwashing Liquid
• Rubber Gloves
• Plastic Table Cover
• Skirt Hanger
• Tape Measure & Straight Pins

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Prewash sundress to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.   Hang dry and iron flat.

2. Measure length of dress and divide dress into thirds. Mark each section with a pin. For this dress, each section was about 8”.

3. Cover work surface with a plastic table cover.

4. How Much Dye to Use:  Weigh the dress using a food scale.  The dress weighed 4 ounces.  As a guideline, ½ cup (half bottle) of liquid dye will color up to 16 ounces of dry weight fabric.

Color #577 was selected from the Rit Color Formula Guide, located on the Blue Green color palette.  This recipe will color 1 ounce of dry weight fabric.  Since the dress weighed 4 ounces, I multiplied the amount of dye needed for 1 ounce of fabric by 4.  The new recipe is listed below. 

5. Preparing Dyebath:  Shake dye bottle before measuring.  Wearing rubber gloves, measure and mix ¼ cup (4 Tablespoons) Aquamarine dye with 2 cups very hot water.  Add 1 cup salt and stir well.   

6.  Fill large plastic container with 2 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. 

6. 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.

7. Attach top of dress to skirt hanger, making sure to catch back of dress.  Immerse bottom one-third of dress in dye bath for 3 – 4 minutes, gently moving it back and forth and up and down. 

8. Gradually immerse middle section into dye bath for 1 -2 minutes, gently lifting and lowering it to create lighter and darker shades or until desired shade is achieved.

9. Then quickly dip top of dress into dye bath just long enough to achieve a very light shade.

10. Remove dress from dye bath and wring out excess dye.  Rinse dress under cool running water until water runs clear, holding the lightest color at the top.  This allows the dye to flow through to the darkest area.  Then wash dress in warm water with mild detergent.  Rinse and dry. 

So much better with a little a splash of color, isn't it?