Materials (for two pillows):
1 light or white wool cardigan sweater
1 light or white cotton (or cotton-ramie ) cable knit sweater
Rit dyes (powder or liquid) in desired colors
thick rubber bands
glass measuring cup
large spoon
rubber gloves
paper towels
sewing basket finds (old buttons, rhinestones, appliques, trim, ribbons, tassels, etc.)
glue gun
Steps:
Cable Knit Heather Pillow (khaki):
- Cut off sleeves and turn cardigan sweater inside out.
- Sew armholes shut and front to back along bottom forming a square-rectangular pillow.
- Put on rubber gloves. Following dye package instructions, dissolve dye in glass measuring cup. Create color recipe using one part dark green to six parts tan to achieve desired khaki shade.
- Add dissolved dye to hottest possible tap water in sink and mix thoroughly.
- Wet sweater thoroughly in plain water. Add to dye bath and move it continuously with a large for 20-30 minutes to ensure that dye takes evenly.
- When desired shade has been achieved (keep in mind the color will appear lighter when dry), remove from dye bath and rinse thoroughly using cool water. Once rinse water runs clear, dry sweater pillow away from sunlight.
- Once dry, pillow can be embellished with wooden buttons along bottom-ribbed edge .
Hippie Chic Tie-Dye Pillow (fuchsia and purple):
- Cut off sleeves and turn cardigan sweater inside out.
- Sew armholes shut and front to back along bottom forming a square-rectangular pillow.
- To create twist tie-dye design, gather up top and bottom of sweater in hands and twist as tightly as possible. Secure top and bottom end together with a rubber band .
- Put on rubber gloves. Following dye package instructions, dissolve fuchsia in hot water in glass measuring cup. Add to hottest tap water possible in sink and mix thoroughly using large spoon.
- Add sweater to dye bath, turning frequently for 20 to 30 minutes until desired shade is achieved. Sweater will dry a few shades lighter than color when wet.
- Remove from dye bath and squeeze excess liquid from still twisted sweater. Rinse with cool water and squeeze remaining excess liquid until water runs nearly clear .
- Remove rubber band to reveal an alternating white and fuchsia pattern. Repeat technique again, twisting in opposite direction to expose different areas. Secure ends with rubber band.
- Repeat dye process with purple. Rinse thoroughly and remove rubber band and allow to dry away from sunlight.
- Embellish with buttons, jewels, coins, appliques, trim, etc. applying with a glue gun. Loop tassels around buttons and/or attach to pillow corners.
Tips:
- Natural fibers dye best (cotton, linen, wool, silk, ramie blends). The following synthetics dye well, too: rayon, nylon, acetate and blends. Avoid 100 percent acrylic and 100 percent polyester items.
- Different fibers take the dye differently, leading to interesting dye effects .
Resources To Dye For: 25 Great Dyeing Ideas for the Home
by Juliet Bawden (ISBN: 0879517859)
Penguin Putnam Inc.
E. Rutherford, NJ
USA
Phone: 201-933-9292
Toll Free Phone: 800-788-6262
E-mail:
online@penguinputnam.com
Website:
www.penguinputnam.com
dye - Rit
Rit Dye Corporation
Phone: 317-231-8043
Website:
www.ritdye.com
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