...well...it's pretty typical that I'd be 'fixing' this summer shift dress right on the cusp of autumn when it's unlikely that I'll even get to wear it...but maybe we've got a few more warm days yet...
...anywhoo...sorry I don't have a good before photo...because the dress has already been bleached at this point...but it used to be a nice sort of olive drab colour...and it's linen...and so so cool and comfy and I wore it a lot in North Dakota during the brief summers there...
...and I already had plans to re-dye it when we moved...that's why it's already been bleached...and then it sat in a bin all these years since then...I'd say that was funny...but really it's not all that funny...that I have so many clothes that I don't even remember that one of my favorites was missing from my closet...
...and so you're probably wondering why it needs 'fixing' anyway...well...about the only thing I use real bleach for anymore is cleaning...and I was wearing this dress one spring (in North Dakota)...and cleaning and I got three drops of bleach splashed onto the front...I've drawn a little circle around it here...because it's so faint now that the whole dress has been bleached...but it made bright white spots and it ruined the dress...
...so...when I found it in the bin...in the basement...I thought it was about time I fixed it...and I searched the internet for olive dye...and I found some...of course...
...but then...you know how I dyed my socks with coffee...and those ceramic Easter 'eggs' with the Cub Scouts with beets, onions, and turmeric...I got to thinking about what I might already have on hand that would work as an olive 'dye'...and I came up with tea...and Koolaid...of course...and the salt is to make the dye fast...
...I got out my biggest pot and mixed up the tea and the Koolaid and some water and salt...until it was about the colour I remember the dress being...
...then I wet the dress...
...and popped it into the pot...
...now I don't know all of the rules for natural dyeing...but in general I think...the longer the better...right?...
...and I left it in the pot of dye overnight...and guess what?...it worked!...
...so then...I just rinsed it in the sink and drained it and took it outside...
...and hung it on the line to dry...
...and I'm pretty amazed at how well it turned out...have you ever had a surprise project turn out like that?
...what's in your workbasket?...
~Have a lovely day!
I love using bleach in cleaning and laundry and I have a huge problem with splashing myself. So far I haven't died any clothing (laziness on my part) but is a good solution. I like your dress.
ReplyDeleteHi Penny,
Delete...it's definitely a drawback of using bleach for anything...this is not the first dress I've ruined this way...and I've gotten splashes on the legs of some trousers as well...
~Affectioknit-ly,
Teresa
That's lovely, it will look beautiful with your skin-tone. I'm sure we'll have a few more warm days!
ReplyDeleteLove, K
and now, the color would work well with a sweater and boots for fall!
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth!
Delete...you are right...that would be perfect!...maybe even layered...
~Affectioknit-ly,
Teresa