 |
for dyeing lampshade trims
TIPS FOR DYEING LAMPSHADE TRIMS by Hannah Murphy
When dyeing small quantities of trim for your lampshade projects, it is not necessary to use the whole quantities shown below, but keep the same ratios. i.e., Amethyst: One Tablespoon Purple mixed with Half Tablespoon Wine. Using a small enamel-ware or stainless steel pan (not used for cooking) use enough water to submerge your trim without being crowded.
There are a lot of variables to successful dyeing, such as amount of water, amount of powder dye, amount of fabric, length of time you leave items in the dye water, and fabric content. Rarely will all your trims come out the same even when using the same quantities of powder dye and water. The fiber content of the material you're dyeing will affect the outcome. For instance, if you expect to have everything end up the same color, all your trims must have the same fiber content (100% silk, rayon, or cotton). Avoid using 100% Polyester or Acetate trims. They will not absorb the dye color.
Always test-dye a small sample first. When it is wet, the color will always appear darker. Hanging chainette fringe and Braid to dry on a drying rack, or from skirt hangers keeps it from fraying and getting "ragged" from flopping around in a clothes dryer. Leave the bottom thread in chainette fringe while dyeing. Cut just above the thread after your project is completed. You'll find the fringe is easier to maneuver while applying it to your lampshade, and it gets rid of any uneven ravels.
Ombre (variegated color) Fringe. Create beautiful graduated colors, from dark at the bottom, to light at the top. Example: very light dusty pink at the top, gradually blending downward to burgundy or wine. This takes time, but is well worth the effort. Wrap your fringe around a glass jar or bottle, (a fruit jar works well), holding the fringe in place with a strong clip or safety pin. Always start with dye powder the lightest color first, submerging the jar until the dye reaches as high as you want the color. Each color will "wick" up a little, blending in with the color above it, as you twirl the jar gently to reach all the layers wrapped around the jar. Remove the jar from the water, and set it on a pie plate or deep dish.
Add a little darker color powder dye and dissolve it completely. Place the jar into the dye water again, but this time, hold it about an inch higher than you did the first time. Don't cover up the part you just dyed with the light color. Repeat this process as many times as you want, until you reach the desired effect. Each time you'll see the bottom edge of your fringe getting gradually darker, and the colors above will stay lighter toward the top. After the final dye bath, take the jar to the sink and rinse it with cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess dye. Unwrap the fringe from the jar, and gently squeeze out the excess water. Roll it up in an old towel to remove as much moisture as possible, then hang it to dry completely on skirt hangers, drying rack, or clothes line outdoors for faster drying.
Experiment, and have fun!
|
Favorite Color Recipes Each RitŪ color recipe is formulated to dye 1 pound dry weight of material in 3 gallons of water at 140oF (60oC) for 30 minutes. Rit
Measurements:
To
successfully combine the colors as listed in the recipes: Reminder: It is advisable to dry weigh and test the color on your material before dyeing the entire batch. | ||||||||||
Colors below may appear differently depending on your
Monitor
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Back to home page for Hannah Murphy Lamps & Lampshades |
|
Across-The-Board Woodworks |