Contrary to the title of this post, this is not about tie dyeing, but about dyeing ties. Specifically, about dyeing the lining of ties.
Yesterday I was puttering in my kitchen after having found some tie lining in my returned stash. I got out some old, old tea I've had for years. I don't really know the name of it, but it isn't Red Rose, which I used to
dye some paper to a lovely color last year about this time. This was loose leaf that I steeped, then when it was cool, I added it to my Rubbermaid pitcher (quite a comedown from last Tuesday's pitcher), then instead of using rubber bands, I simply tied knots in the tie linings.
That was a bit of a mistake, because it took FOREVER to get those knots out.
And even worse was the fact that most of the linings and none of the book pages turned any color at all. The paper just looked like it had gone through a flood! Not sure you can see, but mostly this was a waste of time and energy. At least
the tea was old enough I could have cared less about losing it! You can see a comparison here between the lining fabric that did dye a bit, and the lining and paper that didn't. I'm sure
Kimmie and the rest of the Tea Tuesday gals will have had better luck, stories, and tea than I had yesterday! Not to be discouraged, I'm off to share my link and visit many blogs, since I've been absent for so long.
Yesterday I was puttering in my kitchen after having found some tie lining in my returned stash. I got out some old, old tea I've had for years. I don't really know the name of it, but it isn't Red Rose, which I used to dye some paper to a lovely color last year about this time. This was loose leaf that I steeped, then when it was cool, I added it to my Rubbermaid pitcher (quite a comedown from last Tuesday's pitcher), then instead of using rubber bands, I simply tied knots in the tie linings.
That was a bit of a mistake, because it took FOREVER to get those knots out.
And even worse was the fact that most of the linings and none of the book pages turned any color at all. The paper just looked like it had gone through a flood! Not sure you can see, but mostly this was a waste of time and energy. At least
the tea was old enough I could have cared less about losing it! You can see a comparison here between the lining fabric that did dye a bit, and the lining and paper that didn't. I'm sure Kimmie and the rest of the Tea Tuesday gals will have had better luck, stories, and tea than I had yesterday! Not to be discouraged, I'm off to share my link and visit many blogs, since I've been absent for so long.
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18 thoughtful remarks:
Perhaps you don't see it now but I find great humor in this post! ;-)
I"ve had the same thing happen in the past. Lots of work and not much change. I try to leave the thing I'm dyeing alone for some time, with a very strong tea. I just let it dry without rinsing it, heat set it and then it's better. Same with tea bags if I use them in a fiber art piece. Happy tea day.
I realized I didn't like decaff tea after I invested in a box of it, and tried to dye with it...and nothing. Just the "your skylight has a leak and rain dripped on your paper" look. Out it goes!
Just save the pieces and dye, dye, dye again!!!!
Drop by for tea, if you get a chance!!!
great t day post! I have found that if I leave it for a day or two, not more or it molds, the dye becomes far more intensely colored.... happy t day dearie! xx
got a good giggle out of your first couple of lines...say those 4X quickly :)
maybe if you boil the tea down a bit...the color will darken
I am impressed with whoever took the linings out of ties too btw!!!
Happy T day ... it's always fun stopping by to see what you are up to Lady!
oxo
It is interesting to hear about techniques whether they work or not! Thanks for sharing.
You have such adventures and misadventures! I do not see the failure of today's effort though .... You've achieved a very natural look ... They look genuinely aged and patina'd. I HAVE noticed, though, that some teas leave very little color as a dye. Just enough to take the bright white edge off. Which is a nice thing actually!
you always have instructive things to share! it could be the content of the fabric rather than the tea, though. If there's polyester in the fabric it won't dye as easily as 100% cotton...always know that I'll learn something when I stop by your blog! have you ever tried dying fabric with kool-aid? (no sugar!) I hear it makes lovely bright colors... I hope you get to enjoy a nice quiet, soothing cup of tea today!
Cute title, Elizabeth! I'm touching up the veranda wall with old paint and it hardly looks like I've done anything. But I know it has been 'refreshed'! LOL
Maybe coffee would do better than tea?
Well, that's life isn't it? Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Thanks for being real.
You are certainly always up to trying something new. Who ever even thought to take ties apart for the lining? :) Hope your day is great. Tammy
They look ok to me too - sometimes hard to tell in photos though!!
I tried to un-die some ribbon in bleach - it didn't change colour but it did fall to bits!!!!!
Wishing you a happy Wednesday
Shane :)
The tea in the pitcher looks so dark too.
Darla
Love that rocking horse picture and your studio looks as though you have got it straight atlast ...well done you ...looks fantastic. As for the tea dying ...I would have thought it would work ...maybe it was the wrong kind or not strong enough ...I have heard that American tea is not very strong ... an English Breakfast that has sat stewing for 30 mins might add more colour... good luck if you try again xx
So good of you to share not only the successes but also the failures. I'm sure you've saved many people a lot of time and frustration. I definitely won't be tying knots in things! lol
Well now I want to go see what is special about the LININGS of ties. Great title for this post! I guess you'll be sticking to rubber bands?
Happy (belated) Tea Day!
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