Blankets to Dye For

May 26, 2011

Blankets to Dye For

May 26, 2011

 

Thrifting Thursday - Blankets to Dye For

We have a “spare” house in the Poconos. It belonged to my in-laws, but I already told you all about didn’t I? Well because we have that house (for now) we go there on our weekends away and our family vacations. “Enjoy it while we can”, we say.

I’ve thrown out most of the bedding that had been in the house either because it was yucky or it was yuckier. Haha! Seriously though, some of the fabrics were very scratchy, weird smelling or just old and moth eaten. Even after washing. YUCKY!

I’m a “nest” kind of girl. My bed (above) is my nest and MY nest can’t have anything in or on it that doesn’t feel NICE. Even on vacation.


 

Thrifting Thursday - Blankets to Dye For

 

So I went to the thrift store looking for blankets for our visits to the Poconos house and I found 3 100% cotton blankets. The one above is a king size chenille. SCORE!

 

 

Thrifting Thursday - Blankets to Dye For

 

And I made it PINK! SUPER Score!

 

Thrifting Thursday - Blankets to Dye For

Yellow and white checks on this blanket – I over dyed it with Sunflower Yellow Dylon dye.

 

Thrifting Thursday - Blankets to Dye For

 

 

Make sure to wash the blankets before dying. Just detergent and water. No fabric softener.  Mix the dye with hot water and stir to dissolve. I usually put it in a quart jar and swirl until it’s all dissolved. Add the dye to the washer with hot water and a handful of salt.  Let set until the blanket is the color you want. Every once in a while I let it agitate but I don’t rinse until the blanket is the color I want.

Thrifting Thursday - Blankets to Dye For

 


Then I hung them on the line to dry. The periwinkle looking one is really a white one that I dyed lavender.

 

Thrifting Thursday - Blankets to Dye For

Just make sure your blankets are 100% cotton and you can make them almost any color you want. Keep in mind to dye them darker than the original. (So if it’s a brown blanket you might have to use dye remover before you add color.)  Also after dying fabric in the washer make sure to re-fill it with hot water and bleach, let it set a while and then run it like you usually do. Maybe do a load of cleaning rags or towels you use to dry the dog after a bath.

Just do it! If it doesn’t turn out right you can either re-dye it or use it for something else.  Afterall, I only spent $8 on all three blankets.

 

Vicki O'Dell

All posts
  • Allison May 26, 2011 at 8:28 am

    Thanks for the great information. I had no idea that I could dye straight in the washing machine. I always thought it would require a separate basin. Love the way you blankets turned out!

  • The Meaning of Life with Vicki O'Dell
     Hello, I'm your host - Vicki 

     An ordinary life can be extraordinary and magic can be found in the every day.

    ♥ Midlifer ♥ empty nester ♥ breast cancer survivor ♥  Gardener ♥ Yoga Instructor ♥ Artist ♥ Writer ♥ Earth Energy Master ♥ Reiki Practitioner

    COPYRIGHT AND FTC NOTICE

    All contents of this blog are under copyright of Vicki O’Dell. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. A single image with a link back to this blog may be used but any other use of materials from this blog without our express permission is strictly prohibited. For questions, contact vickilodell at gmail dot com.

    ×