How to Bleach and Overdye Hungarian Embroideries

My Mom is downsizing and I've been helping her make some difficult decisions.  Among them: what to do with all of the Hungarian embroideries?  I was lucky enough to receive an absolutely GORGEOUS, massive, all white embroidery, handmade by a relative in Hungary, as a wedding present.  I immediately framed it before anyone laid their grubby paws on it, but some of the embroideries in my Mom's collection aren't really frame-worthy.  Some are really bright colors that just don't suit her decor, while others have some stains or damage (because they were used - which is a GOOD thing!).  There are a few she really treasures but the colors are too bold, so I decided to try some experimenting.

Could I bleach and/or dye her Hungarian embroideries?

This will be an ongoing experiment, but I started with two that weren't so special.  Some of the thread in the oval one had run after being laundered and the round one had some tears, so I figured I had nothing to lose.  Here they are "before":  

To bleach them, I followed instructions I found online for bleaching fabric: I started with a one part bleach to four parts water concoction but, when the color wouldn't lift like I wanted, added a little more bleach (wearing rubber gloves and working in a bucket in my laundry room).  I kept checking on them every 10 minutes and eventually let them soak a few hours before removing and neutralizing the bleach with a 50/50 water/hydrogen peroxide mix.  Afterwards, I gently hand washed and line dried them.

Here's what the embroideries looked like, freshly bleached:

Interestingly, different embroidery threads have different colorfastness.  The long piece bleached so beautifully.  It's such a pretty color palette of soft muted hues - my Mom barely let me photograph the "after" - she wanted to take it home immediately.

So that one's a success! 

Although we both think it looks so much better, neither of us were smitten with the round one yet, so I decided to overdye it.  I didn't want to purchase a new powdered dye until I had a better idea of how the threads would take the color, so I just used the same Blueberry Procion dye I used for my DIY ice dyed pillows.  I let the embroidery soak in the soda ash fixative required for this brand of dye and then wrung it out before letting it soak overnight in a concentrated dye solution.  The next morning, I rinsed until the water ran clear and hand laundered.

The result is a very deep, inky embroidery but you can still faintly see some variation where the deeper colors stuck around.  I like the overdyed look - this inky blue looks dramatic!  But I think I want to experiment with some different colors.

In one part of the design, the pattern had torn from use and wear, so I tried trimming it out with manicure scissors but it took forever, so I really need to sit down on a cold, rainy day and tidy that up some more.  For now I'm going to pretend the ragged look is intentional because, combined with the deep hue, it's got a Halloween-y sort of vibe.

Currently the house reeks like bleach because I'm still experimenting but, a word of caution: I tried to bleach a very worn, very long table runner and was so excited, envisioning a pretty pastel version but the color wouldn't lift from the red (my least favorite color in the world).  So I let it soak overnight and, when I was convinced it wouldn't lift anymore, removed it from the bleach - only to have it disintegrate in my hands!

Whoops. 

I got over confident.  I should have done the 10 minute intervals.  I knew bleach can eat away fabric but I was just so stubborn.  I hate red.  So, lesson learned: keep an eye on the bleach bath! 

I just wanted to share this little experiment with you.  I'll keep you posted because we're going to be trying some more bleaching/dyeing experiments and also - hopefully - re-purposing some of these table doilies into items we'll use and love.  Even the one I ruined, I hope to turn into some kind of appliqued design.

Wish me luck...

P.S. If you're curious, you can read more about Hungarian embroidery in this post.

DIY Gun Metal Dyed Table Cloth (Rit Dye vs. iDye)

I absolutely love dyeing things because it's such an easy way to really update a garment or home decor staple.  Over the years, I've logged a bevy of DIY dye projects.  Some of my favorites include: dyeing a dress a deep shade of navy, dyeing a pair of jeans darker, and dyeing a set of crocheted lace doilies for a pretty tablescape.  I did some dip dyeing too!  For almost all of my DIY dye projects, I have used Rit Dye.

I have decided to expand my dyeing repertoire and not only do I have a couple of fancier dye projects planned, I've branched out and started experimenting with different brands of dye.  I had heard that iDye is a better quality fabric dye than Rit, so I recently used a couple of packs on an easy project to test out this new-to-me brand of fabric dye.

I started with this beautiful, cream coloured cotton and rayon damask table cloth, which I inherited:

I loved the table cloth but NO cream or white table linens would ever last a day in my home.  Plus it felt kind of bridal.  I knew its fate: sit in my cupboard for years, until I eventually get rid of my oval table, then sadly discover that no one else in my family has an oval table (it's why I inherited it in the first place), so I'll end up dejectedly donating this sentimental linen to the thrift shops in the hopes that someone else can use it.  I know this because many sentimental, "too good to use" things have met a similar fate so, these days, I'm all about using the good stuff!

I figured that if I dyed the table cloth a darker color, to hide the inevitable wine spills, I'll relax and just enjoy using it. In hindsight, maybe dyeing it burgundy would have been the best bet, but I kept envisioning a deep steel grey.

I ordered some iDye on Amazon, in Gun Metal (grey).  It comes in different formulations, this one was designed for natural fabrics (like cotton, silk, etc.).  There are also iDye formulations for synthetic materials as well (something Rit recently came out with too).

iDye comes in a little cardboard envelope with the instructions printed on the inside.  The dye is in a sort of puck, which is supposedly less messy than powders or bottles, but the outside of my dye packs were covered in powdery residue which immediately dyed my hands before I got the packets open, so I don't consider the packaging a selling feature.

Frankly, having watched too many episodes of Border Security, I'm just surprised that this didn't raise any red flags...

Using iDye is just as easy as Rit.  I opted for the washing machine method (as opposed to stove top):

• Wash the garment/fabric to be dyed to remove sizing
• Fill the washing machine with hot water
• Add the iDye dye packs (I used two) plus 1 cup of non-iodized salt
• Let agitate for a minute
• Add the fabric (make sure it's still wet)
• Let agitate in dye bath for 50-60 minutes (my table linens were in there about 70 minutes total)
• Let the machine finish the cycle
• Dry!

Easy peasy!  I turned on a timer so I knew when to keep re-setting my machine to ensure it was agitated for the hour or so.  In between timer chimes I puttered.  By the time my linens were dyed, I could check off a DIY project and "clean the house" from my to-do list.  Win!  This might be why I like dyeing things so much...

The table cloth (and matching napkins) turned out beautifully!

The colour is a really unusual grey - it's got purple undertones, but sometimes it reads really blue, other times a little more warm.  "Gun metal" is the perfect name for it!  It's one of those colours that really plays with the light, made more interesting by the damask pattern and subtle sheen of the cotton/rayon blend.

The only, tiny issue is that the dye seemed to grab the linens more where the fabric had been folded.  This table cloth has been sitting around, folded, since the 80s, so it might not be an issue with the fabric dye, but the item itself.  I did wash it thoroughly before dyeing, but sometimes there's only so much you can do when fabric starts to show it's age.  When I dyed a shirtdress awhile back, lingering residue from my antiperspirant caused an issue with the dye so I think the best contenders for DIY dye projects are new, freshly laundered items.  Having said that, you'll never notice the slightly darker areas on this table cloth - especially not once it's adorned with plates, flowers, and delicious food!

It's SO gorgeous!  I'm thrilled with the outcome: it looks more modern and the blue/grey hue is perfect in the lakehouse - it complements the teal tweed chairs beautifully and ties in the grey from the nearby plywood topped Ikea floating credenza and grey painted brick fireplace.

I feel emboldened to branch out and try new brands of dye because the colour choices for some of the more "professional" grade dyes are outstanding!

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How to Dye Jeans Darker (+ Dye FAQ)

I mentioned in passing, awhile back, that I had successfully dyed a new pair of jeans darker and I received a lot of questions about the process.  I wore that pair of jeans for almost a year and was so impressed with the results!  I recently dyed another pair and decided that this time I'd share a "before" and "after," along with answering some FAQ about dyeing jeans (at the bottom of this post).

I have been on a weight loss journey since the fall and have lost 25 pounds (and a couple of pant sizes).  I am trying to lose 25 more, so I have been hesitant to spent money on pants - although I need them!  My old jeans have become insanely baggy and frequently droop, pulling my underwear down with them.  Pant shopping isn't easy though, because I don't like when jeans have any whiskering or fading on the front/back of the thighs.  I prefer a simple dark wash but, alas, jeans that fit me aren't the wash I like and the jeans with the wash I like are usually uncooperative and won't zip up.

Not a problem!  I found inexpensive, comfy, skinny jeans at Winner's for only $25 and turned them into a perfect dark wash.  Here's a look at the original finish:

And here's a look at them now:

In this photo, the colour seems lighter than real life and doesn't appear 100% uniform, but they are perfectly uniform and a lovely dark wash now.  I'm so thrilled with how they look!

How to Dye Jeans Darker at Home:

If you're read any of my DIY dye posts, you know that the procedure is really simple and not scary at all - especially if you dye in the washing machine.  Here's the how-to:

• Completely soak the denim (or give them a pre-dye wash)
• Fill the washing machine (or a large basin) with hot water
• Add a cup of salt and fully dissolve
• Pour in one bottle of Rit Dye Black and another bottle of Rit Dye Navy Blue
• Agitate for 30-40 minutes (either re-setting the machine or doing it by hand)
• Rinse and let dry (I line dry to preserve the colour)
• Run the machine through with bleach to remove dye

And now, the Jean Dyeing FAQ:

Did the dye cover the denim evenly?

Yes!  All of the whiskering and fading was covered on both pairs I've dyed, and the result was a uniform hue. 

What dye formula did I use?

The first time I dyed jeans, I used two bottles of black and one bottle of navy.  The result was very inky - I loved it, but it did add to the cost because three bottles was about $12.  This time I used only two bottles and did a 1:1 ratio of navy and black, which resulted in a dark denim blue.  I love the shade and it looks great.  Because these jeans are temporary, I wanted to keep the cost low so I didn't want to purchase three bottle, but if I'm being honest, I preferred the 2:1 (black to navy) ratio because the jeans were really dark - almost black, but with some depth.  I'd call the result a midnight blue.   

How much dye do I need?

I used two bottles for one pair of pants and was happy with the results.  The Rit Dye instructions indicate that one bottle covers 1 pound of clothing, but suggests using more for darker/brighter colours.

Will any colour work?

You can dye denim with any colour but I find that the black/navy combo looks most like a commercial "dark wash" denim.  But you could turn white jeans into teal (do it!) or go for all-black.  Rit Dye even makes a "denim blue" that might be great on its own.  It's a bit of a gamble, though, how dye will look when applied over an already dyed fabric. 

Did the dye cover the stitching as well?

No.  The stitching remained light, so they don't look like they were given at at-home dye bath.  This happened with the dress I dyed as well.

Did it wash out quickly?

No!  I was surprised!  I never had to re-dye the first pair of jeans I dyed and I washed them once or twice a week (no dryer, though).  They faded a bit, but the whiskering didn't come back and they were still a dark wash - they just looked like broken in jeans.  I was really impressed - my dyed dress has barely faded, if at all (although I don't wear that nearly as often as jeans).  

How can I make the colour last longer?

I find that washing my jeans inside out, on cold (preferably using a detergent meant for dark colours), and skipping the dryer helps preserve the colour of dark clothing, whether I've dyed it or bought it that way.  Line drying dark items (out of the sun) really helps keep their colour longer than simply tossing them in the dryer - that's probably the best colour-saving tip I have up my sleeves.

Did the colour rub off on furniture?

No!  The dye stays put once the jeans were dry.  After the initial dye, while they were line drying, they deposited dye on anything they touched while wet (like the wall and the lid to the washing machine - crap).  This contact stained, although with scrubbing I got 95% of it off.  But once the denim was dried, and especially after the first wash, there was absolutely no transfer, which was interesting because I've experienced colour transfer with commercially dyed indigo jeans.

Did the jeans feel stiff?

Briefly.  Any time I dye something, I notice that it feels a bit stiffer when it's first dyed.  But after it's ironed or worn, it immediately softens and the fabric feels completely normal again. 

Will it wreck my machine?

Nope!  BUT, you have to run the machine empty, with bleach, immediately after dyeing to remove any dye from the machine (otherwise it can stain the drum and plastic pieces).  I usually use this bleach load to wash my floor rags and scungies because I hate wasting water.

Am I missing any questions?  I've also used this process to re-dye my comfiest pants/jeans once they've become faded from wear.  However, I find that dye always "sticks" best to clothing that hasn't been worn.  So, while my brand new jeans took the dye well and stayed dark, my old and faded pants were only temporarily revived by dye as it seemed to fade more quickly from the beat up pants.  But I will definitely keep dyeing jeans because it makes it so much easier to find the perfect fit when I no longer have to be concerned about the wash.

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DIY Dyed Bottle Brush Trees + Styling a Narrow Mantle

In addition to contributing some holiday DIY projects (like my agate wreath), I also styled my mantle for Hello Holiday.  My mantle is super narrow and has two unsightly vents that impede any efforts to make it look good, which is why I normally "style" it with a collection of rocks and call it a day!  But I was up for the challenge of styling a narrow mantle because I knew this would be a perfect excuse to go crazy with DIY dyed bottle brush trees, which are small enough to spruce up (see what I did there?) even the skimpiest mantle.

I bleached and dyed most of the bottle brush trees various shades of mint and teal, but I left a few of the trees green.  I clipped some real evergreen branches and arranged them in my huge West German pottery floor vase. 

The DIY dyed bottle brush trees turned out so well and the project was so simple!

Supplies:

• Lemax Pine trees (I used two packages of 21)*
• Bleach (I used a low splash variety from Target)
• Rit Dye (I used teal and aquamarine, and mixed them)
• Rubber gloves (I only wish mine were this pretty)
• Bucket
• Old towel 
• Stiff bristle brush 

How to bleach + dye bottle brush trees

*I ordered the plain bottle brush trees but was accidentally mailed the snow-covered ones, with no time to return them.  The bleach removed the "snow" from some, but not all of the trees.  If you try this, definitely get the plain bottle brush trees - which is what I linked to.  I have heard good things about the Tim Holz bottle brush trees, which already come bleached with a pretty wood base, but I liked having variety in the sizes.



My packages of Lemax trees were a little rough around the edges.  I didn't worry about re-shaping them until after the bleaching and dyeing, but I did do a lot of trimming because mine had some rogue branches:

 
Once I was done fussing, I put on my rubber gloves and grubby clothes and got to work.  I poured some bleach into a small container and started dunking my trees in, one at a time, until all of the colour was removed.  Eventually the bleach would get sludgey and murky, so I'd dump it and start fresh.  Some people dilute the bleach, but full strength worked just fine for me.  After bleaching, I gave each tree a rinse and set it aside.

I mixed up two buckets of concentrated Rit dye, using only about half the water recommended by the manufacturer.  I dunked a tree and set it aside to dry upright (with a towel to protect the surface from dye) - no rinsing required.  Then I dunked another tree in the dye mix, but let it soak for a few minutes, then removed and let dry.  I played around with each tree, letting each one absorb the dye for a different period of time.  Sometimes I dunked a tree in both dye mixes.  Near the end, I mixed the two dyes together and kept dunking trees.  I only used two colours of dye, but ended up with a lot of variety with this method.

I spent a couple of hours bleaching and dyeing these trees, and sequestered myself in the laundry room because it did make a bit of a mess.  When all of the trees were dyed and dried (over night), I brushed them with a stiff bristle brush to restore any wonky branches to their proper shape.  Unfortunately, some of the ones that arrived really smooshed never bounced back, but once they're on the mantle in a grouping, they look fine.

I love the vintage feel of the pastel hues - and how they really pop against my dark grey fireplace.

The candle holders are a thrift store find, which I cleaned, lightly sanded and spray painted a cheery mint.  They have the same shape as the trees, so I thought they would be a perfect way to add some height and interest - plus the mantle looks so cozy when the candles are lit!

Behind the trees are two DIY painted "skies," inspired by the moonlit look of my teal bottle brush trees.  I grabbed two scraps of wood from my wood pile and painted them black and teal, to mimic the Northern Lights we see over the lake.  I added specks of white acrylic paint to look like stars - or falling snow.  These paintings hide the vents successfully, but they also add some drama to my mantle decor.

Last year my light up celebrate sign hid the vents, so this is clearly going to be an annual challenge!

I'm really pleased with my foray into styling our narrow mantle - it's definitely doable!  Plus I can check "dye bottle brush trees" from my every-growing DIY to try list... 

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