Supplies
- Rit All-Purpose Dye (We Used Coral)
- White Cotton Napkin
- 4 Gallon Plastic Container
- Measuring Cup
- Measuring Spoon
- Salt
- Liquid Dish Detergent
- Plastic Gloves
- Plastic Table Cover
- Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative (Recommended)
Time
Total: {{ partial.tQ49.total }}
Difficulty
Beginner Total: {{ partial.tPM7.total }}
Instructions
- Cover table with plastic. Gather supplies.
- For best results, prewash napkins, rinse and leave wet. This will help to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.
- Estimate the weight of the napkins to determine how much dye to use. As a general guideline, ½ bottle of liquid dye or 1 box of powder dye will color up to one pound of dry weight fabric. These instructions are for dyeing 6 napkins, which weighed a total of 12 ounces.
- Fill a large plastic container with 3 gallons of very hot tap water (140F). If the water is not hot enough, heat water on the stove or in a microwave and add to the dyebath. Shake dye bottle before pouring. Wearing rubber gloves, add ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons of Coral All-Purpose Dye to water; stir well.
- Add 1 cup 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.
- Fold wet napkin in half lengthwise and roll into a loose cylinder.
- Wearing rubber gloves, dip hem-stitched end of napkin about half way into dyebath. Move the napkin slowly up and down and back and forth. For more of an ombré look, let the bottom quarter of the napkin remain in the dyebath longer than the top quarter. Continue dipping napkin until you are satisfied with the color. This may take 5 – 10 minutes. Color will look darker when wet and prior to washing.
- When satisfied with the color, remove napkin from dyebath. Wearing rubber gloves, squeeze out excess dye and set napkin aside. Continue dip-dyeing each napkin, one at a time, until all the napkins have been dyed.
- To enhance the color and reduce color bleeding, immerse the dyed parts of the napkins into Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative for 20 minutes, following these directions.
- Rinse napkins 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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