Supplies
- Rit Back to Black Kit
- Cotton Doilies
- Wood Embroidery Hoops
- Optional: small plastic spiders and hot glue
- Large Plastic Bucket or Sink for Dyeing
- Measuring Cup and Spoon
- Scissors
- Salt
- Dish Soap
- Plastic Table Cover
- Paper Towels
Time
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Difficulty
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Instructions
- Cover work area with plastic table cover and have paper towels handy to protect against any possible spills. Gather supplies.
- For best results, prewash doilies in the washing machine before dyeing and soak wooden embroidery hoops in warm water. This removes any manufacturer’s finishes or stains that may interfere with dye absorption. Leave damp and set aside.
- Wearing rubber gloves, fill sink or a large container with 3 gallons of very hot water. The water should ideally be 140ºF. If tap water is not hot enough, heat water on the stove and add to the dyebath. Pour 1/2 bottle of well-shaken dye into dyebath.
- To enhance the color, add one cup of salt. Add 1 teaspoon of dish detergent to help promote level dyeing.
- Stir well.
- Test color by dipping a paper towel into the dyebath. If color is too light, add more dye. If color is too dark, add more water.
- Immerse wet doilies and embroidery hoops in dye bath and stir continuously for 20 minutes. Wearing rubber gloves, move doilies back and forth and up and down. This helps to ensure an even color. Tongs are also helpful for lifting. Continue to stir occasionally for 10 minutes or until desired color is achieved (up to one hour). The longer the doilies and hoops remain in the dye bath, the darker the color will be. Color will appear lighter when dry.
- Remove embroidery hoops, rinse in cool water and pat dry with paper towels.
- To help reduce color bleeding and improve color retention, treat doilies with Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative immediately after dyeing and before rinsing. Remove doilies from dye bath and squeeze out excess dye. Fill container with 3 gallons hot water and add 4 Tablespoons (1/4 cup) dye fixative; stir well. Immerse in fixative, stirring occasionally for 20 minutes.
- Remove doilies and rinse in cold water until water begins to run clear. Then machine wash with an old towel in warm water with mild detergent, rinse and dry.
- Stretch doilies over embroidery hoops, slightly offset. Using scissors, cut a few of the ends to give it a frayed spider web look.
- Optional: Adhere fake spiders to the frames using hot glue.
- Hang on your wall and enjoy!
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