Dip Dyed Lampshade

When I found out that I was going to be moving into my first apartment I began fantasizing about color schemes and decor. I decided that I wanted to decorate my bedroom in grey, teal, and yellow...and in order to attain the custom (but affordable) look I wanted I knew that I needed to get out some Rit Dye.
As as college student, I'm always looking for a good deal so I went to Goodwill and picked up a lamp/shade for cheap!  I LOVE the way my shade turned out-take a look!

What You'll Need:

• Lamp and shade
• Any 2 colors Rit Dye (I used Pearl Grey & Sunshine Orange/Lemon Yellow)
• Bucket large enough to fit lamp shade
• Gloves (optional)

1. Remove shade from lamp and run shade under water until damp.
2. Prepare dye bath (lighter color first).  I created my own shade of yellow by mixing 1 1/2 tbs of Lemon Yellow and 1/2 tsp of Sunshine Orange with enough hot water to submerge the shade.
3. Submerge shade until desired color is reached (about 4 minutes).
4. Remove from dye and rinse under cold water until water runs clear.  Set shade aside.
5. Prepare second dye bath.  I used 4 tbs of Pearl Grey with about 4 cups hot water.
6. Dip top of shade into dye bath (I went about 2/3 in) and leave in until desired color is reached (about 4 minutes). 
7. Remove and rinse under cold water until water runs clear.
8. Flip over shade and dip the other end into second dye bath (I went up about an inch).
9. Remove and rinse under cold water until water runs clear.  Set aside until dried.

I loved the blurred lines that the dye left.  My new shade is going to look great in my bedroom!

Work Out Tops 2 Ways

 Shibori T-Shirt

What you'll need:

• Any one color Rit dye (Royal Blue shown here)
• Rubber bands
• Bucket
• Gloves (optional)

1) Wet your t-shirt.

2) Starting at one sleeve envelope fold your t-shirt.

3)Starting at one end of t-shirt, envelope fold the opposite way.

4) Wrap rubber bands tightly around t-shirt (I used 2 bands-the more you use the less dye will bleed through).

 

5) Prepare dye bath using 3 tbs any color Rit dye and 4 cups hot water (I used Royal Blue as a contrast to my already light blue t-shirt)

 

6) Submerge t-shirt into dye bath. Leave in until desired color is reached (I left mine in for about 5 minutes).

7) Remove from dye bath and rinse under cold water.

8) Cut rubber bands and continue rinsing until water runs clear.

9) Wash, dry, and enjoy!

Twisted Tank

What you'll need:

• Any color Rit dye (Aquamarine and Kelly Green used here)
• Bucket
• Gloves (optional-but highly recommended for this one!) 

1) Prepare dye bath using any color Rit dye (I created Blue-Green #573-"Gumby Green" using ColoRit Color Formula Guide) and 3 cups hot water.

2) Wet your tank.

3)Twist the tank as if ringing it out.

4) Holding the twisted tank, dunk into the dye bath.  Keep submerged for 5 seconds.

5) Remove from dye bath and rinse under cold water until it runs clear.

6) Wash, dry, and enjoy!

DIY Dyed Tights

What you'll need:

• Pair of colored tights
• Any contrasting color RIT dye
• Rubber bands
• Bucket
• Gloves (optional)

1) Starting with the first leg, accordion fold your tights (length wise) as seen in the picture below.

2) Making sure not to lose the accordion fold, rubber band the bottom of the tights.  Continue wrapping rubber bands up the leg.  Keep in mind that the more you rubber band, the less contrasting color will bleed into your tights.

3) Repeat steps 1 and 2 on the other leg.

3) Prepare dye bath.  I used 3 cups of hot water to 1/4 cup black RIT dye.

4) Keeping hold of the top, dip the tights into the dye bath.  Submerge the tights as far as you want.

5) The tights will not take long to absorb the dye (I kept mine in for only a few minutes).  When satisfied with the color take the tights out of the dye bath.

6) Hold the tights (still rubber-banded) under cold running water.  Make sure you continue to hold from the top of the tights so that dye will bleed down out of the tights.

7) Once the water running off the tights appears to be clear, remove from the running water.

8) Using scissors carefully remove the rubber bands from the tights.

9) Run them under water again.

10) Let the tights sit for a few hours before washing.

Enjoy your unique tights!

Dyed Newspaper Dollar Store Mirrors

What you'll need:

• Mirrors (I got mine from Dollar Tree-what a steal!)
• Mod Podge
• Newspaper clippings 
• RIT Dye (any color-I used Teal and Lemon Yellow to make a mint green)

 

1. Take the mirrors out of their frames.

2. Liberally apply Mod Podge to the front of the frame.

3. Place strips of newspaper over the edge of the frame and coat with more Mod Podge.

4. Allow to completely dry.

5. Create a dye bath (I used the ColoRit Color Formula Guide found here, to create Green 3 #238) Pour 4 cups of boiling water into a container large enough to fit the width of the frame.  Add 1/4 cup of Lemon Yellow and 1/4 cup of Teal RIT dye.  Stir.

6. Holding one end of the frame, submerge the other end into the dye bath (I went up about 3 inches or so).  Keep submerged until desired color is attained. Pat dry.

7. Repeat on the other side of the frame.

8. Allow to completely dry and enjoy your new mirrors!

To Dye or Not to Dye?

Why dye?

To Update- Ever get bored of the clothes hanging in your closet? Easily and inexpensively dye your used clothing/accessories different colors for a completely updated look.

To Repurpose- Got faded blue jeans? Use denim RIT dye to make them look brand new!  Stain on your favorite white skirt?  Dye it black!

To Create- When you dye something it becomes completely one-of-a-kind, something that no one else has or will ever have.

Dye of choice?

I use RIT dye, a product that dates back to the early 1900s (You can read the complete history here).

So why do I use RIT, you may ask?  Here's why:

• It's a trusted brand
• It is completely non-toxic
• It works! This is the dye professionals use-we aren't talking about your kids tie-dye birthday party here
• Super easy to use
• Inexpensive
• There are 27 colors in both liquid and powder form-and those colors can be mixed to create hundreds more
• It does not weaken or harm any fabrics it is used on
• It can be found everywhere (many grocery and craft stores)

What can RIT dye? 

The following is from RIT's website:

• Washable fabrics containing natural fibers: cotton, linen, wool, silk and ramie
• Synthetic fibers: rayon and nylon
• Fiber blends: fabrics with at least 60% cotton or other dyeable fiber (note: blends will tint
  evenly but will not achieve full color)
• Fabric shoes: cotton canvas sneakers and satin shoes made of silk
• Unfinished wood and wicker: furniture, picture frames, moldings, shutters, wicker baskets,
  straw, rattan and sisal squares
• Nylon-based plastics: buttons, fasteners, golf balls and lacrosse sticks
• Natural dried plants and pine cones: dried cornhusks, milkweed, goldenrod, thistle, foxtails and
  pine cones
• Paper: watercolor paper and newspaper for papercrafts and cardmaking
• Miscellaneous: unfinished clay, cement, cork, feathers, fabric lampshades, paraffin (powder dye only), cotton and nylon rope, sand and seashells
• Food for crafts: dried beans, eggshells, seeds and macaroni 

That's a pretty extensive list!

So there you have it, get dyeing!