Great news! For those of you who were asking, I did a little test yesterday, on a sample pair of our new silk stockings, to see if they would take dye.
And they do!
These obnoxious stockings were dyed with iDye, a readily available dye I bought at JoAnns. All you need to do is…
- Fill a large pot with water
- Bring to a simmer
- Dissolve the iDye packet in the hot water
- Add 1/3 cup white vinegar
- Toss in your white stockings
- Let soak for about 10 minutes.
- Remove the stockings and rinse under cold water
- Give them a bit of a wash with Woolite, or similar, until the water runs clear
- Hang to dry
Because our stockings are 98% silk, they’ll take any natural fiber dye. Yay! I don’t recommend trying to dye the red or blue stockings, just the white ones. The clock will remain black, of course. Think of the possibilities! Pink…green…ombre!? Have fun!
Buy stockings here – www.american-duchess.com. Get a discount when you buy two or more pairs, or one or more pair with 18th c. shoes.
9 Comments
MelissasMelange
August 15, 2012 at 10:46 AMJust a note as someone who is a silk dyer, silk can be dyed by any dye that is designed for protein dyes (either wool, silk or nylon, generally). You are likely to have poor results from dyes designed for cellulose fibers (think cotton and rayon – generally the dyes used for tie dye). Enjoy the colors!
Lauren Stowell
August 16, 2012 at 11:41 PMAh, interesting. I didn't know the difference. Thank you!
Little Mothball
August 15, 2012 at 5:13 PMOh, my goodness! You are a rockstar! What frickin beautiful stockings and shoes! *virtual hugs* You are a girl with the ability and drive to make a thousand gorgeous costumes and have all the pretty shoes you could ever want. You win. Cheers to you, you fabulous lady!
Lauren Stowell
August 16, 2012 at 11:41 PMThank you so much!
Gwenyver
August 15, 2012 at 5:43 PMOh, evil! These would be so great with the next project I'm planning, which is an Orange Halloween Polonaise, with either a Jack-o'-Lantern or Candy Corn stomacher, I haven't decided yet (http://costumeholic.blogspot.ca/2012/08/halloween-polonaise-pumpkin-or-candy.html). I was only going to buy 3 pairs, I hadn't thought of getting extras for dyeing. By the way, I love the purple Georgies!
Lauren Stowell
August 16, 2012 at 11:42 PMMy vote is for the candy corn stomacher! mmm…candy corn. Now I can't wait for Autumn!
Tricia
August 15, 2012 at 10:42 PMToo COOL! I see you are sporting the news buckle, too. They look great.
Lauren Stowell
August 16, 2012 at 11:42 PMThat I am 🙂
Sarah Walsh
March 5, 2018 at 12:38 AMWhich shoes are those and how did you dye them??? They are so stunning!!