Overdyed Animal Prints

 

Overdyed Animal Prints

As animal prints continue to trend in the fashion world, they begin to take on shades of fantasy and colorful effects. Here are the basic step-by-step instructions for dye-sponging animal prints and then dipping them in Rit Fuchsia, Golden Yellow and Scarlet for an overdyed look. Be your own designer and transform this fabric into a scarf, top or fashion accent.

Supplies Needed

  • Rit Liquid Dye: Black, Golden Yellow, Cocoa Brown, Scarlet, Fuchsia
  • 100% Cotton Broadcloth, 8” x 15” up to 18” x 22”
  • Measuring spoons & measuring cup
  • Spoon for mixing dye
  • Large 8-cup microwave safe glass bowl
  • Small 1-cup plastic container
  • 3 Plastic containers for overdyeing
  • For making spots: Stencil brush, flat brush, foam insulation, household sponge, sea sponge
  • Butcher paper or craft paper
  • Plastic wrap
  • Paper towels
  • Rubber or latex gloves 
  • Plastic sheet to protect table

Instructions

  1. Launder fabric to remove any finishes that may prevent absorption of the dyes.
  2. Cover table with plastic tablecloth.
  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 6 Cups very hot tap water. More water was added to give a lighter background than for the cheetah print. 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. Cut piece of foam insulation into a C shape. Cut or tear sponges into small shapes. These items along with brushes are used to create spots.



     

  2. Place dry dyed fabric on sheets of butcher paper that have been overlapped so paper is slightly larger than fabric.

     
  3. Wearing rubber gloves, shake bottle of Black Liquid Dye and pour ½ cup into small container. Cover with plastic wrap. Line bottom of microwave with paper towels. Place dye in microwave and set on HIGH for 30 seconds.

     
  4. Make spots on fabric by dipping sponges or foam insulation into dye. Squeeze or dab off excess dye on paper towel and then press onto fabric. Other spots can be created by dipping brushes into dye. Dab off excess dye and make swirly shapes. Cover entire piece of fabric randomly with large and small dye spots.

    Reheat dye as needed to keep it warm.

  5. 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.

     
  6. Fold, if necessary, and place in microwave lined with paper towels
    Set on HIGH for 2 minutes. Remove from microwave. Cut open plastic wrap. Allow to cool.
  7. Rinse fabric in cool water until water runs clear. Wash in warm water with mild detergent; rinse and hang dry.

Overdyeing

  1. Prepare Dyes:
    Wearing rubber gloves, measure and mix 3 dye colors with water. Pour into small plastic containers for overdyeing. Stir well.

    ½ Teaspoon Golden Yellow + 2 Cups Hot Tap Water 
    ½ Teaspoon Fuchsia + 2 Cups Hot Tap Water 
    ½ Teaspoon Scarlet + 2 Cups Hot Tap Water

    To test color: Dip swatch of fabric into each dye color.

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

     

  2. To overdye:
    Dip one end of fabric about one third of the length into Golden Yellow dye for 1 – 2 minutes 

    Remove and squeeze out excess dye. Dip opposite end in Scarlet dye about one-third of the length for 1 - 2 minutes 

    Remove and squeeze out excess dye. Dip middle section of fabric in Fuchsia dye for 1 – 2 minutes, overlapping colors to create new color shading 

    Remove and squeeze out excess dye.


     

  3. Wrap fabric in plastic wrap; seal edges. Fold, if necessary, and place in microwave lined with paper towels. Set on HIGH for 2 minutes. Remove from microwave. Cut open plastic wrap. Allow to cool.
  4. Rinse fabric in cool water until water runs clear. Wash in warm water with mild detergent; rinse and hang dry.

Details