Search results (tags) for: "dying"

Etsy Finds: Live and Let Dye

2009-08-04T12:00:00-05:00

Lately I've been noticing an emerging trend that utilizes some very traditional dyeing techniques. Hand-dyed yarn and fabric are back in full swing and are being used to create everything from modern colorful dresses, t-shirts, skirts and leggings to pillows, table linens, bags and accessories. I'm especially fond of the one of a kind patterns and color combinations achieved by dyeing techniques such as batik, ikat, resist, fiber reactive, discharge, acid, natural plant dyes and shibori.

If you'd like to learn more about how to create your own natural dyes, check out this How-Tuesday video where Etsy Labs' instructor Kim Hall shares tips on creating your own plant-based dyes. It's fun to experiment and a really smart way to make last season's wardrobe look completely new.

Gold Shibori Wrapped Frosted Glass Votives

By shiboridesigns, $10.

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Simplicity Pant (local organic cotton)

By gaiaconceptions, $75.

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Six Trees Batik 5x7 Framed Wall Hanging

By suzannedrown, $25.

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Diamonds pillow cover

By stitchindye, $40.

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Nerd Batik

By wonderwear, $52.

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Taco Belt (Octopus)

By kokoparis, $49.

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Dip Dyed Fringe & Leather Chain Necklace

By threehorses, $36.

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Ruche Sling in Margot Bianca Moss Bamboo

By jennyndesign, $38.40.

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Cherries and Lemons Slip Dress

By muirhughes, $45.

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Watermelon scarf

By prettypanda, $15.

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Fancy Pants - Rainbow Pair (6 briefs)

By smallthreads, $14.

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hand painted silk skull scarf

By crrysstall, $62.

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Highlight Your Home State Custom Applique

By jessierivers, $16.

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SPROUT hand dyed linen pillow cover

By StirAtHome, $60.

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Felted & Shibori Dyed White and Pink Scarf

By cherdak, $76.

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Howie The Owl - Embroidered Zip Pouch

By MimisCrafts, $14.

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Midnight and Gold Shibori Wrap Skirt

By SheBe, $80.

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6 Hand dyed silk Shibori Cushion Covers

By umoyadesign, $120.

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Fishbones Shibori Top in Turquoise & Cobalt

By dyedianadye, $55.

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Blue Adire zipper pouch

By Urbanknit, $11.

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SALE Raspberry Dress

By RiordanRoache, $75.

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red doily print leggings

By hodgepodgefarm, $48.

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batik linen tea towel / bubble chain / lake

By 5oclockcrows, $26.

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handwoven little blue caterpillar scarf

By jschubertdesigns, $55.

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Gold Multidimensional Wonder Woman

By bewakeful, $85.

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Ikat Handbag

By theladyship, $58.

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emerald green linen towel

By margotbianca, $16.

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Silk Necktie - Corporate Tree-hugger tie

By chelseaofthesea, $40.

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Baby Bloom Hand Dyed Baby Tee in Teal

By heatherhandmadegoods, $18.

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YOUTH BROCCOLI BATIK TEE

By jerusha, $24.50.

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Batik fabric - hardcover blank journal

By ElvieStudio, $23.

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mix tape pouch - keep on keepin' on...

By goodkarma, $19.

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How-To Make Natural Dye with the Etsy Labs

2008-08-29T14:05:00-05:00

This week Kim Hall, a teacher here at the Etsy Labs and an Etsy seller (nottene), came by to show us her technique for dying natural fabric with organic ingredients. Kim has worked with many different dying and printing methods, and we're honored to have her as an instructor! If you've always wanted to dye your own fabrics or yarn, this is a great video to get you started. If you try out this technique, make sure you take some pics and post them in our Show and Tell Flickr Pool.

MP4 | Youtube | Blip.tv | Subscribe in iTunes

Here is the basic recipe for this method:

1 tablespoon Turmeric OR the crispy skins from 5 yellow onions OR 1/2 red cabbage
4 cups water
2 tablespoons salt

Boil 1 of the dyestuffs with the water and salt for 15-30 minutes (15 for tumeric; 30 for cabbage; and until the water is reddish for the onion skins, it's variable depending on your onions).

Meanwhile, presoak a few small pieces (6"x6") of natural fabric or a small skein of natural fiber yarn in warm water to remove starch/detergent/soiling.

Strain the vegetable matter out of the dye and return the dye to the pot. Add the presoaked material and bring to a boil. Simmer for 45 minutes. Your material is finished when it is one or two shades darker than you think it should be. Cool, rinse thoroughly, and dry the fabric or yarn!

Natural dyeing tips:

Chop up your dyestuffs smaller for a stronger dye.
When you prepare the yarn for presoaking and then dying, unwind it from the skein and loop it around your thumb and elbow to form loops and tie off in at least 3 or 4 places to keep it from tangling in the dye bath. Make sure the ties are not too tight or you will have tie-dyed yarn!
After you've boiled and strained the dye, try adding some cold water to reduce the temperature before you add your presoaked fabric or yarn. This lower temperature can help the pickup of the dye into the fabric.
Cotton and silk can be boiled thoroughly when dying, but wool should be gently simmered to prevent felting.
When your dye time is finished, you can leave the material to cool in the pot for stronger color. Remember the material will dry one or two shades lighter than what you see at the end of the dye time.

There are so many organic ingredients that you can use to dye, have fun and experiment! Perhaps you have another recipe to share? Go ahead and post it in the comments below!

Etsy Finds: The Form and Fabric of tinctory

2007-10-04T11:08:00-05:00

I'm endlessly fascinated by the rich colors and geometric textures created in fabric by UK-based tinctory. Using polyester textiles and a hand-pleating technique called arashi shibori (pole-wrapping), Eva makes intricately beautiful fabric jewelry. In contrast to the pleated forms, tinctory also offers luxuriously soft, flowing, hand-dyed silk scarves.

Eva explained to me that her use of arashi shibori is somewhat unorthadox, as it's typically a technique for making patterns when dying fabric. Eva instead uses no dye, but rather heat, to set permanent creases in the polyester material she has wrapped tightly around a pipe or bottle (shown above on the left). Eva also linked me to an amazing group on Flickr devoted to all things shibori, if you'd like to see how others use this technique for creating pattern on fabric in both traditional and innovative ways.

Though no dye is used on her polyester pieces, Eva does work with color on other fabrics. Shown here (above) are some images of her experimentations using black walnuts to create a natural dye for cotton, wool and silk. Some of her hand-dyed scarves are currently available in her Etsy shop.

All "work in progress" images used by permission.