Dy(e)ing for a change

I can see that now!

By "buy and dye" I just meant cheap linen and cotton items from cheap shops/supermarkets which come in a very restricted range of colours including white!

Yes, it's a very important step if you don't want an OH in a pink karate gi, which is what happened to a friend of mine.

I wanted a french-navy blue handbag to match my shoes for my going away outfit for my first wedding. I couldn't find anything that matched, so I bought a tester pot of paint and ended up painting both bag and shoes, I never looked back. I have even painted long suede purple boots - remember those? I just used gloss pain as usual and brushed it into the suede.

Back in those days I could buy small squares of leather and suede to practice on from a small shoe repair shop, maybe now a charity shop would be best for experiments.

Made a faux pas . Run a very hot wash after dyeing as mcem has said.

I think that is an important factor in dyeing mcem, weigh the garments and use the recommended amount of dye.

Haven't heard of the 'buy and dye' in Sainsbury's Soutra but it sounds worth a look. Thanks.

Aka DH and I tie-dyed a small white tent orange in 1970 to go to the pop festival at Krumlin near Halifax. The festival ended in chaos as someone ran off with the proceeds and the weather turned wet and windy. I don't know what happened to the tent afterwards.

That's amazing Jane. I used to dye shoes too in the 60's never thought about gloss paint so, something else I will experiment with. Thanks.

As has been mentioned finding dyes now is not as easy as it was back then when there were certain dry cleaners who would dye curtains professionally. I buy dyes at a couple of local ironmongers, failing that I buy them on Amazon.

Yes, I remember tie-dyeing Aka

I dye most things in the washing machine and the instructions are, after dyeing, run a normal wash in an empty machine. This cleans out any remaining dye successfully.

I found out too mcem, anything with elastic in it won't work. Best results with 100% cotton.

I use Colour Catcher sheets that I buy in the pound shop if I'm not too sure about something that might run in a mixed wash.

"bowl" in case anybody is wondering what on earzh a boel is"!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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?

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?

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!

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!!

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.]

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'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 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?