Back in March I had a wonderful
trip up to Napa. Although, after an aggressive game of Cranium...my new
lace blouse was destroyed by red wine (yes, we bring cranium everywhere...even wine tasting). The dry cleaner couldn't get the wine out and I refused to never wear the blouse again. My only thought to save it was to...dye it? I worried the fabric was too delicate, so instead of the washing machine, I used an old vase and stirred it in the kitchen sink for a little while. And, I actually LOVE the way it turned out. I did a bright fuschia and I think it's perfect for summer. I'm so fired up about it I'm thinking of dying a cami to match with the leftover dye? Have you ever saved an article of clothing with dye? How did it turn out?
I just thought I'd let you know how much I adore your site! I have found so many inspirational photos off of it. You have a beautiful eye for design. I wish I could give you some cleaning advice but I really can't. When I get a stain on a piece of clothing I usually designate it to my "craft clothes" pile. Haha. Talk to you soon.
ReplyDelete[ keep calm & blog on ] xo Katy
Wow! I have been thinking about dyeing some white dresses I wore to different wedding activities (because how many white dresses do I need?) and have been too scared to pull the trigger. I think I definitely need to try it now after seeing how pretty your top turned out! I should do the same color, too!
ReplyDeleteLove it! What a resourceful idea :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks awesome!! Way to go lady! I remember you talking about this and it came out perfect!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! Such a great idea!
ReplyDeleteI have this exact shirt and actually love the new hue. This came out awesome and makes me want to embark on a dye job of my own. Love it!
ReplyDeleteIt looks so graet. Have you ever used 'wine away'? It's a must have for wine drinkers!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=wine-away&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=3998035015&ref=pd_sl_13kajk1tte_e
What a great "after"!!! I like it more than the white version. :)
ReplyDeleteturn up the rad blog
turn up the rad creative
I love it! It looks fantastic. Dye intimidates me, but I'll have to try it next time around.
ReplyDeletePure genius! I love the new color, you are right, so fitting for summer!
ReplyDeleteIt looks great! I washed a red new shirt with some of my white cotton ones and now they have pink blotches! was thinking about dying it too. What brand of cloth dye did you use?
ReplyDeleteI bought a black linen dress from Gap one time at a thrift store, it was seriously faded although otherwise in good shape. I used black dye to bring it back to its former glory, which worked really well.
ReplyDeletethanks everyone!
ReplyDeletethank you brooke for the suggestion, purchasing now!
anon: it did not dye my sink, but i used an old vase to dye it in, then poured out the leftover dye and followed up with hot water and a bit of soap
anon: i used dye found at walgreens, rit is the brand
Yaay for dye!! ;) Looks great!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I love that color. Honestly WTF did a great tutorial on Shibori dying you might want to check out to use your remaining dye on!
ReplyDeletexoxo Maria
This is definitely a go-to trick for me. i can never seem to keep my whites white for very long, but I don't want to toss those pieces. I also works great on grey clothing too, it comes out looking like a "heather" version of the color. Love to dye jeans that have either faded too much, or the wash is just out of style. I can go on and on about how much I love dying clothes. It gives them a whole new life and makes it just as exciting to wear them as it was when you first bought them!
ReplyDeletewww.daniapple.com
This is SO AMAZING! I am trying to think of some tops I can dye different colors! Looks Fabulous!
ReplyDeleteto say i am impressed, would be an understatement...it's such a gorgeous top and i LOVE the color. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to save it and it looks great. Just a piece of info to tuck away for the future: PENINOU. Best cleaners in SF. Expensive but they can get out ANYTHING.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know dying a blouse would work so well. It looks great! Thanks for the helpful and creative advice! We just wanted to stop by and say hi. We just started a blog where we will be photographing events & travels, & writing about the things in life that bring us happiness. We'd love to have you drop in & say hi! Thanks, and have a wonderful day :-)
ReplyDeletehttp://redrosealley.blogspot.com/
Love the color! What a great way to save a fantastic piece! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletethat is beautiful - well done! i know who to come to for my stained items that need to be saved...
ReplyDeleteNo but now you have me thinking!
ReplyDeleteThat is a really beautiful color! Great job! I am scared of dye!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! And this top! You picked a great color. I admire your taste... I need help picking a color scheme. If you go to my blog, I'd love to hear your advice. :)
ReplyDelete[samanthakayjewelry.blogspot.com]
Bravo!
ReplyDeleteI think I like the color you picked better than the white :)
ReplyDeleteThat's such a fun color! I had a white silk-blend blouse that was in a Vera Bradley bag in a roof-top car carrier during a roadtrip. Well, it rained, and the patterned bag bled into my blouse and left splotches. Rather than toss it, my mom and I dyed it a beautiful tan color using Lipton tea bags! The color has lasted through many machine-washes!
ReplyDeletei LOVE it! i would have never thought to do that.
ReplyDeletekelly
Whoa. Strong work Carlee! I think I may even like it better in this color. Hope all is well!
ReplyDeleteThat's a fantastic idea! You are very industrious! Well done:)
ReplyDeleteWhat an ingenious idea for a favorite blouse!
ReplyDeleteI am getting ready to do this very thing myself so I have been searching for an example of fuschia dye on a blouse and came across your blog! :) I love the pink of your blouse, it has given me the push to go ahead with my fuschia idea. -My blouse is white but has an off white stain on the sleeve. Other people cannot see it but I know it is there! I have kept the blouse for 3 years without wear so it is either dye it or toss it! :D
ReplyDeletexoxo
http://preponderance-of-fashion.blogspot.com/
You did a lovely job of dying! Invariably if I serve wine at a dinner party someone spills some on my white table cloths. Read this hint somewhere and it actually works: place the wine stained item over a colander or big bowl in your sink and tie it taut. Sprinkle generously with salt - I mean a really thick layer. Then pour boiling hot water from a good foot or more high. I'm really short so used a step stool :-). Wine stain vanished. This has saved many a table cloth. But they are cotton or linen. Not sure if it would work equally well on man-made fiber.
ReplyDeleteAnother dying method I use when I've stained white rayon and nothing makes it white again or when I want to 'age' lace (I love vintage look) is to use a very strong coffee /tea brew with vinegar (the vinegar helps to set the color). Soak in a bowl, rince, repeat if it's not dark enough. Don't be afraid of it looks dark brown while soaking. A LOT rinces off. A final vinegar rinse is optional. You end up with a soft aged look and saves the item. Ironing will also help 'set' the dye. Again, I've had best success with natural fibers... Good luck! ;-)
My daughter had a light pink leotard for dance that she wouldn't wear so I dyed it maroon and now she wears it all the time!
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