Question about tea dying
#1
I have some lovely bright fabric that I would like to tone down a bit. Thought maybe tea dying might work. My question is, will the tea be permanent? I wouldn't want to use it and have it wash out. I'm sure there are many here who have experience with this. Would like your opinions please. Thank you.
#6
I tea dyed a bright light blue skirt that I wanted to use for Faire costuming and it has worked just fine. I used several family sized tea bags and a large plastic bowl/canister and let it set for several hours. When I've washed it I just put it in with my darks (blue jeans, dark blue towels, etc.) and used cold water.
#7
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
it may over time...and many many washings fade some...but the color will last. people have been tea-dyeing fabrics for a hundred years (&longer) it is as safe as any other natural dye. and if you harvest your own teas to use you can come up with many different shades of greens, yellows and browns... after soaking your fabric in the strong tea solution (i usually leave mine for at least 24 hours...i simply rinse it once in cold water...then partially dry the fabric and heat set/finish drying with my iron...then i throw it into the wash and launder as usual. the color lasts and lasts but i have had a couple lighten a little. make sure you use either PFD fabric or pre=wash your fabric to remove any sizing/oils that will keep your (dye) from soaking into the fibers.
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