Calling all crafters! It's time to put aside one hour of creative 'me time' and turn your attention to a bit of DIY up-cycling by learning how to dip dye fabric.
This quick and stylish dip dye tutorial will help give plain fabrics, or items you already have, a whole chic new lease of life. The unique colours and combinations you can create will give an extra pop of personality, no matter what you choose to do with your dip dye fabric.
Here we've made a cushion but we've included more ideas below, so once you've mastered the basics the only limit is your imagination!
You will need
- White cotton fabric
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Pink and blue dye
- Salt
Step 1 Measure and cut your white cotton fabric, depending on what you're planning to make. Wash and leave damp.
Step 2 In a washing bowl, mix the dye with water and salt according to pack instructions. Wearing rubber gloves (to prevent dying your nail beds - we learned the colourful way) dip three quarters of the damp fabric piece into the dye, and leave for 10 minutes. Pull the fabric out a few centimetres, then leave for another 10 minutes. Continue pulling the fabric out a little every 10 minutes.
Step 3 When you've finished dying the fabric, rinse in cold water and leave to dry on a rack.
Other ways to use dip dye fabric
1. Dip dye cushions
You will need
- Sewing machine
- Needle and thread
- Pom poms
- Needle and thread
- Cushion pad
Step 1 Measure and cut one 50cm square and two 50x30cm pieces of white cotton fabric. Set the 2 smaller pieces aside. Wash the larger piece and leave damp.
Step 2 In a washing bowl, mix the dye with water and salt according to pack instructions. Wearing rubber gloves, dip 3/4 of the damp fabric into the dye and leave for 10 mins. Pull the fabric out a few centimetres then leave for another 10 mins. Continue pulling the fabric out al ittle every 10 mins. When you've finished dying the fabric, rinse in cold water and leave to dry on a rack.
Step 3 Hem along one 50cm side of each of the smaller pieces of fabric. Lay them on top of the dyed piece, with hemmed sides overlapping each other, and pin in place. Sew all the way round, then turn the cushion out and iron flat.
Step 4 Sew contrasting pom poms to each corner of the cushion and pop a cushion pad inside.
2. Dip dye ribbons
Give gifts a beautifully bespoke touch with lengths of hand-dyed ribbons. Not only will the lucky recipient know how much thought and care went into every detail of their present, they'll also be able to do a bit of up-cycling themselves and reuse it for future gifts or craft projects. Make it Ribbon from Ruffled
3. Dip dyed napkins Add a splash of colour to dining table with these pretty pastel napkins. They're a great way to transform old, plain fabric into new and beautiful accessories for your home. We think they make lovely gifts, too. Make it: Napkins from Griottes
4. Dip dye shoes
Image: Put your best foot forward by dying your old canvas trainers with a little colour. Perfect for warming up winter outfits or showing off on summer's days. Make it: Shoes from Tongue in Chic
5. Dip dye clothes Update your wardrobe with a quick dip dye fix. This principle doesn't just work for pretty fairy-like tutus either, we love it for beach dresses and maxi skirts. Although, if you have little girls in your family we have a suspicion they might just love a dip-dyed tutu of their very own. Make it: Tutus from Bespoke Brides
5. Dip dye curtains
If you're looking for simple ways to give a room in your house a makeover then these could be the answer. They take hardly any time at all, require very little sewing and few materials. Our kind of craft! Make it: Curtains from Ideas To Steal
