Now this is another top which I know is around 25 years old. I made it with sewing weight thread.
You can easily see where I ran out of the brighter white and used a creamier one to finish it. Now IF I could dye it successfully I'd probably wear it.
Does anybody know of ANYTHING that will dye this. I'd make it black if I could or even cream but I don't think it'll dye because it's a polyester thread. If not then it'll go back in the suitcase again which is where it's spent it's entire life.
What a shame but 'tat's life'!!!
Goodness, I'm in awe! Some of the dyes, I think dylon is one, are suitable for synthetics, especially if you want a paler colour. I wouldn't try black, which is always tricky to dye. Actually, it's so spectacular that I would wear it anyway. The colour changes are symettrical, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteOh thanks, Jane. I'll pop into town tomorrow and see if I can find some dye for it. Good idea on the paler colour too. Somebody on Facebook suggested dying it with tea (which would be a great colour) so I'll look for that.
ReplyDeleteWow that must have taken forever to make ! Its beautiful. There are some good dyes out there now. I'm sure you will find the right one.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely top! I can't imagine how long it took to make. I've never tried dyeing anything. I hope Jane's idea works for you.
ReplyDeleteI used to love dying clothes, just throw them in the washing machine with Dylon and loads of salt. I've got a purple sachet if you are interested? It is a shame to put it back in the suitcase.
ReplyDeleteI found this: http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/5637085-AA.shtml
ReplyDeleteGood luck with this. It is a lovely vest.
Fox : )
That is amazing!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Fox. I'll see whether I can get that in the UK. I bought some dye this afternoon which I'll try out first. I bought a darker shade than I really want in the hope that some of it 'sticks'!!!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous.! How about tea?
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I sure couldn't fit in anything from 25 years ago...
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a design, not a flaw - just wear it as it is! Mind you I can't see the back so maybe that's not as easy to explain :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's an amazing piece of tatting all the same - I can't imagine how long it took you.
Such a beautiful top and obviously so much work to tat, it's a shame that it has to live in a suitcase. I hope you get it dyed so you can wear it.
ReplyDeleteMy girlfriend wanted to dye her wedding dress so that she could wear it for other occasions. The fabric was a cotton polyester mix and she was told that the threads wouldn't dye evenly. That would be my concern, but if it were done in a light colour, the end effect might be that of a variegated thread and look really good. If you start with a light colour and it doesn't work, you can always go for a darker colour later, just doing a test bit first to see the results.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to make something to wear one day so I'm incredibly impressed by your vest!
ReplyDeleteIf the beautiful vest has been living in a suitcase for that long, then it's time for it to come out and live! I would try dying it dark navy or black and if the two threads take the dye differently, that would be okay. Not all vests are one color anyway. It's just too darn beautiful to be hidden away.
ReplyDeleteI had to pick myself up off the floor again (I do that a lot reading your blog!), especially when I read "sewing weight thread"! This MUST see the light of day again! Good luck with the dyeing!
ReplyDeleteYou would try tea staining it? Might make it a cream yet the poly might mess it up.
ReplyDeleteThe white is symmetrical, instead of dying have you considered some beading or fine ribbon woven in to enhance the white and make it a design element? Home dye's are rarely as "rich" and consistently even as commercially dyed fibers, such fine handwork deserves to be showcased.
ReplyDeleteWow, Ameche what a great idea. Excellent.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Yes, this must be worn. Hope the dying works. And I agree, if the results are uneven, well there are ombre threads out there that would leave similar results.
ReplyDeletePolyester requires a special dye, no tea or something for natural materials.
ReplyDeleteLook at this post, it is quite useful:)
http://rookiemag.com/2012/04/rit-dye-tutorial/