Dyeing a blanket for a capote

[Tengu]

I made one many years ago; tired of it and gave to a friend who disses me by wearing it almost constantly...

I have a blanket....but its a very sad salmon pink.

I want it credible brown.

How do I dye it and would it be best to cut the bits first?

 

[tombear]

Would walnut dye be dark enough? I ain't got any but I'm sure folk would swap for some.
Definately dye first it's bound to shrink it some

ATB

Tom

Van Dyke Crystals is what them make from walnut husks. Cheap on eBay and possibly hanging around some ones shed for staining wood.

 

[Hammock_man]

I have used tea bags to great effect, takes about a week in soak but it works and its cheap!

 

[Tengu]

But how secure is it? I have lots of spare bags (I tend to use loose)

What would I use as a mordant?

 

[Alan 13~7]

But how secure is it? I have lots of spare bags (I tend to use loose)

What would I use as a mordant?

google is your friend

http://tiinateaspoon.blogspot.co.uk/2008/04/dyeing-with-tea.html

 

[Tengu]

Thanks, but that requires boiling.

a) I havent a pan big enough. and b) its wool

 

[Alan 13~7]

Sorry Tengu never actually read it (no interest to me) you most definitely don't want to go boiling wool... oh well back to the drawing board then... at least you can rule out Tina teaspoons method then...

 

[Tengu]

I have a tub big enough for soaking.

would it be best to get a dye removing agent? it might be a ood idea to find what colour it is without the dye? Something cream, maybe?

 

[Hammock_man]

I bought a very big kids plastic toy box ( it was used as a toy box after I used it) and a big bx of tea bags from the pound shop. Made a brew in the biggest pan we had and let it boil a bit. Added this to the toy box with some cold water and then put the blanket in to soak. Every day, 2 -3 times at first, moved the blanket around and made sure the mix got everywhere. After about 2 weeks I think it was, rinsed and put on the line to dry. NO boiling, no mordant, white blanket to cafe au lait. Job done.

Just remebered I did start a thread http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=130795. Seem as if it was not 2 weeks after all. The colour still was not run nor faded.

 

[ValeTudoGuy]

I have access to extremely concentrated [around 7500L per ounce dilution] food grade powdered dyes in Blue, Red, Yellow and Purple or Fluorescein based Green.

Im pretty sure they would dye wool but might need to go through a locking in process but thats not in my area of knowledge im afraid.

If you are interested I can send some over to you so long as you promise not to blame me if you use it without gloves and dye your hands for a week. Lol