Cheetah Handbag

 

Creating the Cheetah Look!

Animal prints are still roaring down the runway and making a major fashion statement well into summer and fall/winter 2010. Here are the basic step-by-step instructions for making your own Cheetah fabric using Rit dyes. Then with a little imagination, you can create your own fashion accents, like this cheetah handbag. The dyed cheetah fabric was combined with red fox Ultrasuede® and turned into a stylish handbag. You can use most any sewing pattern or design your own bag!

Supplies Needed

  • Rit Liquid Dye: Golden Yellow, Cocoa Brown
  • 100% Cotton Broadcloth, 18” x 22”
  • Measuring spoons & measuring cup
  • Spoon for mixing dye
  • Large 8-cup microwave safe glass bowl
  • Small 1-cup plastic container
  • Sea sponge
  • Butcher paper or craft paper
  • Plastic wrap
  • Paper towels
  • Rubber or latex gloves
  • Plastic sheet to protect table

Test Swatch

 

Instructions

  1. Launder fabric to remove any finishes that may prevent absorption of the dyes.
  2. Cover table with plastic cover.
  3. Wearing rubber gloves, measure 1 Tablespoon Golden Yellow Liquid Dye and 1/4 Teaspoon Cocoa Brown Liquid Dye into large microwave safe glass bowl. Add 4 Cups very hot tap water. Stir well.
  4. Wet fabric and immerse into dye bath.
  5. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Line microwave with paper towels. Place bowl in microwave and set on HIGH for 2 minutes.  
  6. Remove from microwave. Rinse fabric in cool water until water runs clear. Wash in warm water with mild detergent. Rinse, hang dry and iron fabric.
 

Creating Spots

  1. Place dry dyed fabric on sheets of butcher paper that have been overlapped so paper is slightly larger than fabric.
  2. Wearing rubber gloves, mix 1/3 cup Cocoa Brown Liquid Dye with 1 Tablespoon hot water in disposable plastic container. Cover with plastic wrap. Line bottom of microwave with paper towels. Place dye in microwave and set on HIGH for 30 seconds.
  3. Cut or tear sea sponge into small and large shapes. Dip sponge in dye; squeeze out excess. Then press sponge onto fabric. Cover entire piece of fabric randomly with large and small dye spots.


    Reheat dye as needed to keep it warm.

  4. When finished, remove dye-spotted fabric from paper and place on overlapping sheets of plastic wrap. Then cover with plastic wrap and seal outer edges.

     
  5. Fold to fit into microwave lined with paper towels 
    Set on HIGH for 2 minutes. Remove from microwave. Cut open plastic wrap. Allow to cool.

     
  6. Rinse fabric in cool water until water runs clear. Wash in warm water with mild detergent; rinse and hang dry.

Details