Supplies
- White sweater in a cotton/rayon or cotton/polyester blend with at least 60% cotton (lighter shades result with polyester)
- All-Purpose Liquid Dye
- ColorStay Dye Fixative
- 4 Gallon bucket or container
- Dishwashing liquid
- Fabric scrap
- Rubber gloves
- Measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Large metal spoon
- Old Towel
- Plastic table cover
- Salt
Time
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Difficulty
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Instructions
- Gather supplies and protect work surface with a plastic table cover.
- Estimate the weight of the sweater to determine how much dye to use. As a guideline, ½ bottle liquid dye or 1 box of powder dye will color up to one pound of dry weight fabric. For darker colors, double the amount of dye used.
- For best results, prewash sweater, rinse and leave wet. This will help to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.
- To prepare dyebath: Fill large plastic tub or bucket with 3 gallons very hot tap water (140ºF). If water is not hot enough, heat water in a cook pot or teapot. Shake dye bottle before pouring. Wearing rubber gloves, add ½ cup of Charcoal Grey to water; stir well.
- Add 1 cup of salt to dyebath; stir well. Salt helps to intensify the color.
- Add squirt of liquid dish detergent. Stir well.
- Test dye color by dipping a paper towel into the dyebath. If color is too light, add more dye; if it is too dark, add more water.
- Immerse wet sweater into dyebath. Stir constantly for 30 minutes or until desired color is achieved (up to one hour). Sweater will look darker when wet and prior to washing.
- Recommended: To enhance the color and reduce color bleeding, immediately immerse the dyed sweater into Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative for 20 minutes, following these directions.
- Rinse sweater under cold running water until water begins to run clear. Then wash in warm water with mild detergent, rinse and dry.
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