Dy(e)ing for a change

How about the white trousers Soutra??

Do you mean dye those too? No I like my white linens but might look out some big shirts and have a go at them. Bright/rich colours make a nice change from pastels and the inevitable beige!
#notboringbeigeanymore

I redyed some elderly black linen shirts, they now look new. Also a lovely swirly chambray skirt. I dye my bedlinen on a fairly regular basis, also towels, as they start to look tired. DBH says he has to keep moving, in case I either paint him or dye him.

Old faded t-shirts, but if you have spilt bleach on them or fat, you have to be prepared to add a little embroidery or applique. It's only worth it if you really like the t-shirt.

I even dyed a suede jacket once. I was going to a spring wedding, it was a smart beige jacket but it didn't look wedding-y enough. I used cold water dye and dyed it deep pink, it was lovely. That got me really started, and suede shoes and boots were next. That was back in the days of buying shoes and boots in non-sensible colours, of course! I still have a pair of pink suede kitten-heeled shoes that had once been cream, they are still going strong.

Dyeing is so much easier now that everything can be thrown into the washing machine. I recently dyed cream garden furniture cushions and they look like new.

I still remember the enamel pail on top of the cooker and having to stir and stir

Yes - and having to add nearly a whole packetful of salt to make it colourfast!

Impressive jane! I used to dye shoes in the 60s and 70s and have dyed lots of towels and bedding to give them a new lease of life, or to match new decor. I've got a dark pink linen tunic that I had for a wedding reception and have never worn since, so I think I'll dye that blue (or will it end up purple?). I've used the Dylon stuff that strips colour out first, but the end result was a bit patchy. So easy in the washing machine, though.

You still have to add the salt Ana'but just throw that in the machine too now. Fab!

I wondered about the suede dyes jane but after reading your post I will be rummaging through bags, belts and shoes.

Does this have any affect on leather handles on a suede handbag?

I've been having a clear out and found a couple of hand dye packets at the back of a cupboard. Now looking for something to dye - I wonder if dye has a sell by date (I think these packets pre-date sell by dates!)

I had not dyed anything for 30 years, but just last year decided to dye a [dirty] pair of suede clogs dark brown [they had been cream.]I so enjoyed doing it.They look good too. Suede is a dream to dye.I bought it from a shoe repair shop [cobblers, I hear you cry] but it's true, honest!So thanks Soutra that has now given me ideas about pale shirts. Where did you buy your dyes from? My Mother used to dye curtains a lot in the 1950's when yellow became popular.We should all do lots more of it, a kind of make do and mend approach to life, like changing cheap buttons to nice ones, and jazzing clothes up with scarves and belts.

I once dyed DH's white underpants a lovely shade of pale pink [but that was by accident when a rogue red sock got in there.]

Good job he wears colourful boxers these days or it may happen on a regular basis.

My black and navy linen trousers look a bit faded and I want to dye them, but DH moans that I will wreck the washing machine .

I will have to wait until he goes out.

Does anyone remember tie-dying in the 60s or 70s?

rosequartz I am amazed that your DH even knows of the existence of a washing machine in your house.

rosesarered, I once inadvertently dyed all DH's white nylon Police shirts pale pink, when a red sock hid in the washing machine. I can still remember the panic I felt when I took the washing out. Put them all in a bucket of bleach. Not successful.

Hurray lots of kindred spirits here! I bought my Dylon(other brands may be available) from John Lewis but they didn't have the whole range of colours. Googled Dylon and results sugest Amazon or Dunelm might be likely sources. Wish I had not thrown out so much last year as I could have experimented with other colours. At £3 ish a go it is a cheap way to revive the summer wardrobe!!

Some of my more colourful undies were dyed when they became a bit dingy and are enjoying a new lease of life. Very easy to dye in washing machine and as long as you clean the machine properly you can do no harm. Just one word of warning about how different fabrics take colour.
One white 'control' body suit was looking a bit grey and I thought black would be the best bet for dye. I assume it was the elastane content that scuppered it as my undies came out a not very fetching shade of 'bright tan' although the embroidered part was just the shade of black I'd had in mind. Normal nylon lace or cotton are usually fine!

I have never dyed anything, but can think of a few beige t shirts which could do with a liven up, and a couple of pairs of favourite white trousers which are a little drab.But, what happens to the washing machine? how does it all clean?

Thanks Soutra for the info on dyes, will look on Amazon. Woolworths used to stock them years ago, I do miss dear old Woolies.Words of wisdom there mcem for anyone wanting to dye their spanx [not me, once tried it, the wearing of it not the dyeing,and felt like death by boa constrictor.]
I saw a very nice white tunic in M and S last week but didn't buy it [white isn't a good look once past 60.]Now I'm thinking..... I could 'buy it and dye it'. Surely we can handwash [to dye things] does it have to be done in the machine?

Joannapiano Did he wear them to work I wonder? The trouble with bleach is it makes things a bit yellow and old looking.I can well imagine your panic,sympathy, sister!

Agus - believe it or not, I used gloss paint on leather bags and shoes! Black enamel paint turned one pair of gold shoes into black patent leather - again, still going strong.

Clear instructions for cleaning the washing machine are given on the packet but basically it's just - run very hot cycle (empty) with a dose of bleach. Works well, but I always double-check the seal. I've never had any cross-contamination.
I was very pleased with the outcome when I dyed a heavy towelling dressing gown going from faded blue to a deep rich turquoise. Because of its weight, I needed 2 packs.

I did these tunics using the handwash dye and a plastic washing up boel . I stirred it with an old wooden spoon . Honestly could not have been easier. Also wondering about "buy and dye" cheap white linen and cotton e.g. sainsbury's - endless opportunities for being indiviual.