How To Dye Polyester: Easy and Awesome DIY with Video
Are you wondering how to dye polyester material? I had some beautiful 100% polyester doilies that I wanted to use as spring decor in my home and I was curious to try my hand at polyester dying. I wanted to find a suitable dye for my doilies so I researched all types of dyes. I decided rather than use special dyes meant for polyester clothes I would try a little food coloring for the dyeing process.
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How To Dye Polyester Fabric Video
How To Dye Polyester – Can you dye polyester with food coloring?
I do like to wash and dry the fabric before getting started. This can remove anything that is currently on the fabric – be it a stain or fabric softener. You want the dye absorption to create even coloration.
Fill a container with water and add food color
The first thing I did was make a dye bath. I used 4 bowls, filled them with water, and added different colors of food coloring to each bowl. I like to use hot water to boiling water, but you can use cold to warm water as well.
The amount of dye needed for each bath depends on how vibrant you want the colors to be. So more dye means darker color, and less dye means lighter colors.
Pro Tip: The best way to make sure the dye stays intact is to add a little white vinegar (about 1 tablespoon) into each bowl and stirred up the mixture.
Add your fabric to the mixture
I added a doily into each bowl and let it soak for at least 30 minutes in the dye solution.
Remove the fabric and let it air dry.
I drained out the water and rung out the fabric. If you want you could save the water and dye more doilies or other fabric. It’s a good idea to wear rubber gloves so you don’t dye your hands. Alternatively, you could use tongs.
I hung up the doilies to dry outside.
These were polyester doilies so the dye didn’t take as strongly as it would with natural fibers. After drying you can see they are lighter in color than before, but the good news is these pastel colors are perfect for spring.
You can set them up as a table runner for spring – even make more if you like.
You can also use them as placemats if you have larger doilies.
How To Dye Polyester Video
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How To Dye Polyester
What else can use used to color fabric: The type of fabric determines the best dye
- synthetic dye work best on synthetic fabrics, synthetic fibers, and synthetic materials like polyester blends are made of polyester fiber.
- natural dyes work best on natural fabrics (cotton blends)
- fabric dye like Rit Dye
- acrylic paint can dye fabrics
- polyester dyes, synthetic colorants
Additional dying information for best results.
- Be sure to read the back instructions of your dye to determine whether to use warm water or cold water. It’s also important to help determine when rinsing afterward to use a higher temperature, room temperature, etc.
- When dying make sure to use a large pot with enough water to cover the item.
- Choose the right dye for your fabric
- If tie dying you’ll want rubber bands or the ability to tye knots in your fabric.
- Know what the instructions say in terms of drying as well, do you use high heat or air dry.
Other DYing projects
- How To Dye Hard Boiled Eggs 9 Ways Easily
- Fantastic and Easy Dye For Wood For Any Celebration
- How To Dye Clothespins Fast and Easy DIY
- How To Make An Easy DIY Clothespin Sunflower Wreath
I love this idea. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Rebecca 🙂
Those doilies are perfect for spring! What pretty colors.
Thank you Jenny
I would never have even thought of using food coloring to dye doilies. This is such a fun idea! They look great.
Thank you so much Beverly, next time I’ll use cotton ones so they’ll take the color better 🙂
I have some of these dollies.I was thinking about throwing them out until I saw your post this morning.So now I will use them.
Thank you Carolyn, and I’m so excited you’re going to try this – you’ve made my morning 🙂
These dyed doilies just look like Spring! I love the pastel colors. Thank you for the great idea.
Thank you so much Amy, I’m thrilled you think so 🙂
I love simple crafts – especially when the result is delightful spring decor. Lovely doilies for spring! #MMBC
Thank you so much Carol 🙂
What a cool idea, and a great way to upcycle doilies!
Thanks for sharing with Creative Compulsions!
Michelle
mybijoulifeonline.com
Thank you so much Michelle – it was such a fun project experiment 🙂
Love the idea of using them as a runner! So pretty and fun.
Thank you so much Alexandra, so fun to play around with.
Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Pleas stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
Thank you Marilyn and hope you are well, safe, and having a lovely weekend 🙂
You always come up with the best ideas. You are also a strong person. I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother.
Thank you so much Barbara, I appreciate your kind words.