Dyeing fabric: simpler than you think!
If you are not satisfied with the colour of a garment, you can dye the fabric. Most fabrics made from natural fibers can be dyed to another colour. This works best with undyed fabrics or white fabrics. Fabrics that have already been dyed in a light colour can be dyed darker, but the original colour may affect the shade of the second dye. Dyeing Red over blue will, for example, result in a purple hue. Another thing to keep in mind is that the thread used in the seams may not dye as well as the rest of the fabric, as that thread is often synthetic.
Dyeing Linen or cotton
Both linen and cotton are made from what we call plant fibers. This means that both fabrics can be dyed with the same type of dye. When linen or cotton is mixed with a synthetic or animal fiber, dyeing may turn out slightly different than expected.
Most pre-fabricated textile dyes, such as those you can find at drugstores, work on plant fibers, although it is always a good idea to check this before purchasing. Pre-fabricated textile dyes are generally available in two versions: for hand washing and machine washing. Hand wash dye cannot be used in the washing machine, but you can use machine wash dye to dye fabric in a bucket or bathtub.
Pre-fabricated textile dyes always come with instructions, so they are easy to use.
Of course, it is also possible to dye fabric with natural dyes, which is period correct. You can buy ready-made, natural textile dye, but it is hard to find. If you want to use natural textile dye, you usually have to make it entirely yourself.
Natural dyes are much more complicated to work with than chemical dyes. Working with natural dyes requires a lot of research and experimentation.
Dyeing wool
Wool, made from animal fibers, actually absorbs colour very well. It is easier to achieve a bright colour on wool than on linen or cotton, especially when using natural dyes.
The disadvantage of dyeing wool is that wool is sensitive to temperature and friction when wet. It can easily shrink or felt if not treated properly.
Just like linen and cotton, the simplest way to dye wool is by using pre-manufactured textile dyes. You must check whether the textile dye you are considering can be used for wool. Not all textile dyes work for wool, so you may need to look for special textile dye for wool.
Using a pre-manufactured textile dye is simply a matter of following the instructions provided with the dye.
Wool can also be dyed with natural dyes, as it was done in the distant past. It is possible to buy ready-to-use natural dyes, but they are hard to find. If you want to use natural textile dye, you usually have to make it entirely yourself.
Natural dyes are much more complicated to work with. Working with natural dyes requires a lot of research and experimentation.
You can find our clothing collection here .
