Ombré Table Skirt & Marbled Topper

Step 1:

Helpful Hints

Use a food scale to weigh the table skirt and topper separately so you know how much dye to purchase. One package of powder or half a bottle of liquid dye should be used for every pound (16 ounces) of dry weight fabric. The more the item weighs, the more dye that will be needed to achieve a true color.
If making your own table topper and skirt, do the sewing before dyeing. It’s much easier to handle the fabric. Use cotton thread (not polyester) and attach the tassels to the topper before dyeing. This will ensure the color matches perfectly!
Always test dye bath color with a scrap of fabric before immersing fabric in dyebath.



Instructions:
- Launder table skirt and topper to remove any sizing or finishes that may interfere with the absorption of the dyes.
- Cover work surface with a plastic table cover.


Dip-Dyed Table Skirt

- Fold round table skirt in half neatly several times like a pie shape so the center is the point of the pie. Wet tablecloth thoroughly in warm water and set aside.
- Prepare dye solution: Shake liquid dye bottle before opening. Wearing rubber gloves, pour 1 bottle of Violet liquid dye in 2 cups very Hot tap water (140°F). If water is not hot enough, heat water in the microwave or in a tea kettle. Add 1 cup of salt and stir well.
- Pour dye solution into a 5 gallon plastic container filled with 3 gallons of hot tap water. Add 1 Tablespoon liquid detergent; stir. Test dye color by dipping a scrap of fabric in the dye solution. If color is too light, add more dye. If color is too dark, add more water.
- Dip bottom one-third of table skirt into dye bath for 10 minutes. Move fabric gently back and forth and up and down.
- Then lower middle third of fabric into dye bath for 5 minutes. Move fabric gently back and forth and up and down.
- Then immerse top third of fabric into dye bath for 1 – 2 minutes. Move fabric gently back and forth and up and down until desired color is achieved.
- Remove fabric from dye bath. Squeeze out excess dye. Rinse fabric under cool running water, holding lightest color at top. Allow water to flow down through darkest area until water runs clear.
- Wash table skirt in warm water with mild detergent; rinse and dry.

Marbled Table Topper
- Dip table topper in warm water; set aside.
- Wearing rubber gloves, prepare dye solution: Shake liquid dye bottle before opening. Measure and mix ¼ cup Apple Green dye with 6 cups very Hot tap water; stir well.
- Pour into a large 8-cup glass bowl.
- Squeeze excess water from table topper. Scrunch up table topper and push into dye solution. Cover with plastic wrap.
- Line bottom of microwave with paper towels. Place plastic-wrapped bowl in microwave. Set on high for 2 minutes. Remove from microwave. Allow to cool; remove plastic wrap.
- Rinse fabric in cool water until water runs clear. Wash in warm water with mild detergent, rinse and dry.