Wednesday 11 July 2012

Dyeing for a Cuppa :)

Hi Guys,
See what I did there with the title? hehehe :)

I wanted to update up my aging mustard cardigan & when I came across these dollies in my local charity shop I knew exactly how I would do it. The only problem I had was that they were too white.
Now I am a big tea lover as you may have realized :) so tried my hand at dyeing fabric using tea bags, PG Tips to be exact.

To give it ago yourself you need the following for the dyeing process:
  • Boiling water
  • 2 bowls
  • 2 mugs
  • 2 PG Tips Tea bags 
  • Splash of milk
  • Marbles or fabric weights  

Now to start put the tea bags in the mugs with the hot water & give them a stir then remove the tea bags.  Add a splash of milk to each & then give one cup to your mum/dad/sister/brother or other half then put the other to one side to drink as you work.
Well now you didn't think I would waste a perfectly good opportunity for cuppa did you :)

Ok back to the dyeing.
Now take the rest of the boiling water & add the tea bags to the two bowls, then let them simer for a bit. Once the water is ready submerge the dollies in the water & add the weights or marbles and leave them to one side for about 10 minutes then remove them and wash them with a little detergent.

SIDE NOTE: I left mine a little too long & they were too dark, if you find yours are a little dark add a little stain remover to the water you wash them in & they should come up a little brighter :)

Once they were dry I placed them on the cardi & decided where I wanted them. When I was happy I pined them in place & the attached them leaving the edges free.

I also decided to add a new lot of buttons I got from Cath Kidston & Ta da!!! I was done.
I am quite please how it all turned out & I am sure it will star in a My style post in the very near future.

Have you ever dyed fabric with tea bags?? I would love to see how yours came out.

Have a great week.
Ciao for now.
Love Katrina x

11 comments:

  1. Lovely! And very easy to do! X

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  2. That's so clever! It looks great.

    I had an activities book when I was a child. One activity was to dye clothes using food stuffs. I was never allowed so I might do it now.

    Caroline
    xxx

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    1. Thanks sweet pea :)
      I can't wait to see what you come up with!! :)

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  3. I love this! I would never think to do it, and you end up with the most adorable cardi! Very very clever =)
    xx

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    1. Thank you for the lovely comment :)
      I am really happy with how it came out :)

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  4. haha I nearly got annoyed that you'd spelt dying wrong then, then I saw the post! ahaha it looks great! Hannah xx

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  5. This is a great DIY! I used to dye paper all the time with tea for all sorts of projects but never tried it with fabric... does it wash OK??

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    1. It seems too :)
      as I said when I first washed it after it was a little dark so I added some stain remover to take a little off and that took two washes on a high heat :)

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