I have been experimenting with pigment dyes, and have discovered a world of projects and inspiration that I didn't know existed! Dyeing, as a technique, has always conjured images of tie-dye projects in buckets when I was a kid. But there's so much more that can be done...here are some of my favorite projects!
Rit is synonymous with dye, in my book. They're the go-to for that powerful powder that will transform fabric into seemingly any shade in the rainbow. If you've been to their website, though, you'll find a wealth of inspiration and the constant reminder that fabric isn't the only thing you can dye!
- In this tutorial, the Rit team shows, step-by-step, how to use their dye to stain an unfinished table! The possibilities are limitless when you think about the range of colors they offer.
- I had absolutely no idea that this was possible: dyeing your extension cords! I love this, too---I've got many of them around the house, and it would be so fun to have a mint green or peach cord instead of plain old industrial white! Furthermore, I didn't realize that plastic could take dye...now i'm scouring my home for other things that might take pigment...
- This tutorial incorporates "day old" newspaper into artwork for your walls. WIth a pop art inspired theme, you can use dye to transform otherwise mundane materials into decor.
- I just posted another tutorial on paper flowers, so maybe you can create a whole garden! This one has you dyeing coffee filters and assembling them into beautiful bouquets of peony-esque flowers.
- While a pillow isn't a far stretch in terms of creative things to dye, this technique isn't one I was familiar with! Using hand-stitching to add effects to the dye pattern is an easy technique, outlined more here.
(Images: as linked above)
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Ok, I have to say...immersing an extension cord into water for 20 minutes to dye it is about the most stupid thing you could possibly do. BUY the extension cord in the color you want if you need one a special color, but water + electricity don't mix and you never know if there was a crack in the coating. If the coating could take dye it could allow water into touch the copper wires. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want the fire hazard in my house.
I'm with you SGGVT04. I think it's about as wise as adding volume to your hair by sticking your finger in an outlet. Thanks, but no thanks.
Very interesting - but the link to the pillow one doesn't work. It goes to the extension cords...
Here is the correct link for the pillow
Found by going on the Rit site.
Actually, submerging an extension cord isn't a horrible, horrible idea. All extension cords are is wire is plastic coatings. While obviously passing electricity though cords that are submerged is idiotic, simply having an extension cord that has gotten wet is not a problem at all.
However, it really has to be 100% dry before plugging it back in. And blowing out the cords is a must as that can be difficult for water to evaporate out of confined places. To assist, it might be a good idea to put it in a bag of rice or in a bag of 'do not eats' to really make sure it's 100% dry.
I suppose you could use a circuit tester thing if you had one to assure that you don't have a short in the cord after everything. I like the idea of putting it in rice - that is a miracle :)
Just last night I spent an inordinate amount of time trying to find a nice non-pine yellow woodstain or glaze or something that isn't paint for a Ikea hack I'm working on. I couldn't find anything and then here is exactly what I was looking for in that first link. It is even pretty much the color I want. Due to my main hobby, I already have a large collection of RIT dye, so I won't even need to buy anything to finish the project. Yay!
Who has time to dye extension cords?