My version on how to dye fabric with Acrylic Paint

Hi y'all,

I tried to do a video yesterday and it was so awkward.  I thought that I would show photos and explain it here on my blog.  It has been about 8 months since I tried dyeing with acrylics and it took a few setbacks to remember how I did it.

I went to Pinterest to search for ideas and I found a few websites for inspiration.  Here are some things they don't tell you but trust me you really need to listen up.

1.)  You gotta wear gloves.  I didn't because I was trying to make a video and after awhile my hands started getting irritated and itchy.

2.)  You need to be in a well vent area.  It will give off fumes while applying the mix and when it is wet.  As soon as I closed my window I could really smell the fumes and you don't want that.  I didn't have a choice because it was raining like crazy.  Today, it isn't raining; however, it is 20 degrees.  I decided to go into my garage and open it up a crack and then proceeded to apply the paint to the fabric.  I am leaving it out there for awhile and then bringing it in to completely dry.

3.) Everything that you use has to be for dyeing only.  I use old placemats, paint brushes, measuring cups/spoons, recycled plastic cups, tupperwear, spoons and old baking sheets, etc.  Dollar tree and thrift stores are great places to get items cheaply.

4.) Just like with any other techniques of dyeing fabric, you should always wet fabric to get sizing out.  Also, dye adheres to wet fabric better than dry fabric.

***Inspiration***

The first website I found was here and it was very helpful.  Even though it is for garments, the items you need to use is the same. 

I also found this here and feel they give a better explanation on the steps.

*** Now onto my techniques***

There are 3 types of ways I have dyed the fabric and I love each one of them.  I choose the technique based on the look I want to achieve.  The main thing is that you have acrylic paint and paint medium.

On a side note, brand is not as important as the fact that is says fabric medium.  It is hard to find at the craft stores but if you go on Amazon and search up Fabric medium for acrylic paint you will find a large variety to choose from.  Just read the directions.  This brand says to do 2/1 ratio.

I have tried metallic and some of the other specialty paint and it didn't come out very well. 

**No matter if you dilute it with water or not you need to mix the acrylic paint with the medium.  Trust me, if you don't, it will be a uneven, clumpy hot mess that you will just throw away. 

If you go the route of watering down the paint, (I do this way the most), it is 1 teaspoon of acrylic paint, 1/2 teaspoon of medium and 1/4 cup of water.  Mix well, sometimes you have to consistently mix it while applying to fabric.

You can double the amount or adjust the amount as needed.

The pictures are not that great because my house is like a dungeon, but here is the first one I did today.

I used a foam brush and brushed the paint onto the fabric (32ct Belfast Linen).  You can do it with one color or make any design you want.  I did both side just to make sure it was covered.  You let it dry completely and then iron.  I will come back and show you the results.  You do not wash out the dye like rit because then it will totally wash away. 

Second way.  I picked out 2 colors of blue and prepared it with the acrylic, medium and water combo.  I packed the wet fabric (32ct Belfast Linen) in an old cup and then poured each color over the fabric.  It turned out really pretty; like the sky.  Do not wash out, let it dry and then iron.

This one is actually a very pretty turquoise.  I used the same technique with one color and made sure that it was totally covered.  It is a Joblean and I wish the picture looked better. Again, do not wash out, just dry and iron.

You can also ice dye, it will make it slightly different.

Third way:  mix the acrylic and medium together without water. 

You scrunch your wet fabric (14ct Aida) in a cup, layer it with ice.  Spoon the acrylic/medium mix over the ice (you can use multiple colors)  I chose an orange and gold.  Once the ice is melted, you have to rinse out the dye because it will be globby otherwise.  I have to say, I didn't really like it when it was wet. Now that it is dry, I am so in love with it.  It is gold, orange with undertones of peach and light gold.

*** Sometimes no matter how much you mix the dye you might get a little clump here and there, it isn't a big deal.

On a side note:

You will know you are successful if you hold it up into a light and you can see the holes and little to no clumps to prohibit you from stitching.  As you can see, I used Aida, evenweave and linen as examples and they are all clump free and ready to stitch on.

 I hope that this has helped you in the joys of acrylic dyeing.  Have fun and happy stitching.

Mary

I am back with some finishes

Good morning everyone,

Wow!  The time has really flown and I can't believe it has been 2 months since my last post.  I hope everyone is having tons of fun this summer and getting some stitchy time in.

I have been very busy and have finished several things since we have last visited each other.  The first thing I want to show you is my Seasons in Chalk, Stars in Stripes by Hands on Designs that was in the July 2016 JCS issue.  I am doing each one and will make them all into pillows. 

I am currently working on Seasons in Chalk Christmas out of the Dec 2016 JCS issue.  Here is an update after working on it for 4 days.  It is so much fun.  I dyed some Charles Craft 14 ct Opal Aida in black and I am really happy with the results.

I also did the mini bunnies from the May/June 2018 JCS issue.  Here is May:

Here is June:

I ffo'd the skull and I just love how it turned out.

I was working on Ink Circles pattern called Cirque de Triangles but I just couldn't get into it.  I am sure we have all been there before.  So I cut off what I stitched and went looking for a pattern that I could still use the floss and fabric for.  I found this Mandala by Heritage Stitch on Etsy.  It reminds me of the Spiralgraph toy I had as a kid.

I also started on this baby sampler for my great-niece Eden.  I have finished all the leaves and just need to finish the trunk and the tree will be done.  There will be some woodland animals at the bottom.  I found this on Etsy and the store name is NikkiPattern.

Last but not least is the free pattern on Lakeside Needlecrafts website.  I am really enjoying this one.
It is done on some 28ct Monaco evenweave I hand-dyed last year.

Thanks so much for looking and catching up with me.  Have a great weekend.
Mary

September smalls check-in

Good day everyone,

Hope you had a wonderful week since I last checked in.  I participate in this wonderful monthly Smalls SAL hosted by Heather at Stitching Lotus.

I finished 2 ornaments this week.  They are both by Turquoise Graphics and Designs and were in JCS magazines.  I am really trying to make my Christmas ornaments sparkle, shine and glimmer.

I worked on these wips and made pretty good progress but I got called out by my husband for not working exclusively on the 2 houses I need to do for Christmas presents.  I hang my head because it is true, so for now I need to get them out of the way.  It is just a lot of color changes but I know it is worth it; I just need to suck it up.

Here is my progress on Summer by Hands on Design.  Sorry for the lousy picture.

Here is a new small I am doing on the weekends.  It is called Happy Thanksgiving by Redbear Designs on Etsy.  I dyed some 28ct Monaco with Tan and Camel.  It is really cute.  I will probably frame it in a wooden hoop and buy a display stand.

Last but not least is the before picture of the house:

And the after picture:

Thanks again for looking and all of your kind comments.  It really means a lot to me.

Hugs,

Mary

August 2017 Smalls SAL check-in

Hi y'all,

Heather at The Stitching Lotus is hosting a smalls SAL throughout the year.  You can join at any time and is a lot of fun.  I keep forgetting when we are suppose to post so I am a few days late.

I have been really busy and have several things to show you.

#1- Storm Trooper ornament by DJ stitches on Etsy.  I made this for my son Blake who loves Star Wars.

#2- 1 out of 2 Blackwork designs by Seba Designs that was in the Sept/Oct 2009 JCS issue.  I wanted to try Petite Treasure braid.  It was wonderful to work with considering it is metallic, however, there isn't much on the card and had to omit some of the design.  I still love how it turned out.  You can't tell, but I found some Swartzkof crystals on clearance at Michael's and used some as embellishments.  I will do the other ornament with blue braid and crystals.

Next, of course I had to do something Halloween since Fall/Halloween is my favorite time of year.  I finished this yesterday so I missed out on Theme - Tas - Stitch furry themed.  Would a rat be eligible?  Oh well, he is cute anyway.  I omitted the border.  It is called Rats! by The Stitcherhood on 28 ct Monaco dyed my me.  It was in the 2016 Halloween Collectors Edition.

4th and last is my August section completed on Connie Gee Designs 2017 SAL.  I used Carrie Creations floss in Key Lime.

How it looks so far:

Here are 2 pictures I framed myself.  1st is the Ink Circles I completed in May.  I found a frame at the store and spray painted it black. (Sorry about the glare)

Lastly, Here is a finish I did about 10 years ago or so.  I love it. I don't have info on it but I believe it was a SAL on a blog.

I do have some projects on the go and I hope to have pictures next time to show you.  Thanks for looking and have a great day.
Mary

June Theme-Tas-Stitch Check-in

Hi y'all,

How is everyone doing?  I am doing great.  This month's theme for Kerry's SAL was garden/floral.
I was able to work on this WIP.  It is called Butterfly and Roses by Marie Barber and it was in the Apr/May 2012 JCS issue.  Since the boys are out of school for Summer break I have been working on this early in the morning before they wake up.  I will continue to do that until they go back to school.  I made great progress even though I had to rip a lot out.  The swirls in the bottom right rose threw me off.

I have a new start as well.  I am doing this on the weekends (fri-sun).  I hand-dyed 28 ct Monaco fabric a red-orange color and I love it.  This is called Summer chalk by Hands On Design and was in the June 2016 JCS issue.

I will continue to have this as my weekend project.

Well that is all for now.  Thanks for looking at my blog.

Mary

Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Good morning everyone,

I hope you are having a great Friday and St. Patrick's Day.  My youngest son made A/B honor roll so I will be heading out soon to see him get recognized for his work.

Since I completed this a few days ago I thought I would make a post today.  This is a freebie from Brooke's Books Publishing found here called St. Patrick's Day shamrock.  I used DMC variation 4050 and 32 ct white Belfast linen.

I also have 2 updates on some wips I haven't shown you in a while.  Here is Cirque des Cercles by Ink Circles Designs.  It is on 14 ct black aida and Carrie's Creation Thread in Bluebird.

I am also working on White Tigers and is in a Stoney Creek leaflet.  I am using 32 ct grey linen. There is a ton of color changes and blended thread but it is really looking wonderful.

I also played around with dyeing fabric.  I love this one with the blues, yellows and greens.  I found a white hibiscus flower pattern in a JCS magazine that will look great.

I am participating in Jessie Turns 29 SAL on Facebook that starts on April 15.  I don't normally have a ton of projects in rotation but I thought it would be fun this one time.  One of the things I plan to work on is this German castle (the one on the lower right corner).  I dyed some 32ct Belfast and made a mistake the first time so I redyed it a darker blue and I really am happy with it.

Thanks for letting me share.  I hope you have a great weekend.
Mary

Fabric dyeing and finishing

Good afternoon.

I hope everyone is having a lovely November day.  It is cool and sunny here so I am very happy.

I have been busy trying my hand at dyeing fabric.  I have done so in the past, but usually only one color or coffee/tea dyed, so it was simple.  This time I did some ice-dyeing and it is very simple.  There are several people of Youtube but I watched WonderfullyHopeless for inspiration.

Here is how it looks on linen.  I used liquid dye instead of powdered in orange, grey and camel.  I love how it turned out.

This next one I love but I learned some things. I used liquid in Camel and powdere in Tan.  It is on 28ct Monaco and it is thicker fabric than linen so I had some trouble.  When the powder hit the ice it made it some little spots with red and blue. Next time I will dilute the powdered dye and make it liquid.  Once the ice melted and I pulled it out there was a lot of white where it did not go through so I had to do it twice.  I still love it and plan to stitch this cute pattern I bought on Etsy from RedBearDesign.

It addition to dyeing fabric I also have some FFO's.  I finished stitching November by Hands On Design yesterday and everything else was stitched earlier this year. My finishing isn't perfect but I still love them.

Thank You so much for looking,
Mary