How Do I Dye?

Penny-Pincher!!

Afternoon All

I have a super king bed (6foot) and bedding is very expensive as Im quite fussy about it being 100% cotton etc. I bought some great bedding from John Lewis in january sales and quilt covers were reduced from £110 each to £35 :eek: Bought matching pillowcases too and basically got everything for less than the original cost of 1 quilt cover

I only have 2 cream fitted sheets for the bed and these were £40 each (mum treated me to them). I would like to buy a fitted sheet but in a darker colour to co-ordinate vetter but the ones I like are £45+ and Im not paying that

Do you think it would be OK to dye one of them? How do I do it and where do I buy them from? Im disabled and not good with my hands. Ive never dyed anything before. I dont want to ruin the cream sheets.

I know I shouldnt be moaning and it is not a need but a want.

I suppose I could put it down on Xmas list

Thanks

Penny-Pincher!!
xxx

MrsB_2

Never done it myself but i'm sure mum has. Fairly sure you can buy Dylon packs of dye that you use in the washing machine. Think you need to remember to put salt in too, but I'm sure someone far more knowledegable than me will be along shortly to help.

Have Fun!!

squeaky

In the Craftwork section of the MEGA Index sticky there's a thread on dyeing listed under "repairs" that should help you out here

Noozan

Yep, you can Dylon machine dye for around £5.50 per pack and they come in multitude of colours. I've used them numerous times and have always had excellent results. The higher the percentage of cotton in your chosen fabric, the better the colour "takes" so with your 100% cotton sheet, it should be no problem!

They're very easy to use - just add dye and salt to drum of washing machine and then add dampened sheet (dunk in bucket of water ). Run at 60 degree wash for full cycle. Then run at 95 or 100 degree wash to "set" the colour (this cycle also cleans any residual dye from the drum).

Have a look here : http://www.dylon.co.uk/main.htm at their website.

Good luck!

catznine

I've just dyed black a pair of my linen trousers that had gone grey! Also a couple of tops. Used Dylon machine dye in the washing machine cost about £5 and they sell the salt already measured out if you require it. It was really easy to do as well. In fact I am now wondering what else I can dye as it was so effective!:D

loopy_lass

dylon machine dye is great, yes you need salt, i generally mix the salt & dye together to get rid of any lumps in the dye... It is also important to wet the fabric before putting it in the machine. It gives a better coverage.

use it with confidence, its great....


hth loops x

MrsB_2

Was just thinking...

Do i remember rightly that you're suppoesed to 'rattle' the drum a bit to make the dye and salt mix fall through the holes before you put your clothes in? Think it might be something to do with preventing 'dye blob stains' on the item you're going to dye.

MrsMW

I've just dyed today! I did a sheet and three tshirts that were looking a bit grotty and they came out lovely. If you want to use navy or black dye, they sell a Dylon one which you just chuck in the machine -no salt required, at Savers and it only costs £3.49. I got a bargain though because the two assistants were chatting and one held up my pack of dye and the other said "99p" so I didn't say anything, I wouldn't have been able to get a word in edgeways anyway. They only have the two colours.

Penny-Pincher!!

Hey

Thanks for all the quick replies!

Ive seen a few on ebay priced at £4.95 inc postage. Is this good? Its this one and want it in the Bordeaux colour:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ONLY-4-95-Delivered-DYLON-Machine-Dye-ANY-COLOUR_W0QQitemZ8208993323QQcategoryZ121QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Will this be enough for one fitted sheet?

Thanks

Penny-Pincher!!
xxx

Ticklemouse

P-P

check out this site:

http://www.musburyfabrics.co.uk/index.asp

I have a super-king sized bed and get all my bedding from there. Their percale and egyptian cotton fitted sheets are only white or cream but they do have an extensive range of colours in the polycotton range - I know you like cotton, but someone else out there may be interested They also do great duvet covers. Just bought over 50m of excellent quality curtain material plus lining from them in a sale - chenile, faux suede , luxury thick cotton (£300)

P&P seems reasonable but only had a quick look as they are near enough for me to visit.

Poppy9

If you have been given some second hand school sweatshirts with Waxed logos (not embroidered) you can dye them back to new looking colour with Dylon.