How Not to Look Like A Tablecloth, Or Dyeing Gingham
Gingham is a naturally cheerful form of check, often used in home decor and or in youthful garments--see Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz in a blue and white pinafore style gingham dress. I bought this all cotton spring green gingham on line during a sale intending to make a dress. When it arrived I realized it looked too much like a tablecloth or curtains for a kitchen. What to do? Try dye, I always think. Technically, this is over-dyeing as the threads of the green fabric were already dyed once.
Dress Doctor books from the early 20th century often discussed the pros and cons of dyeing finished dresses in their section on remaking and remodeling. I even found a Vogue Pattern magazine suggesting dyeing a wedding dress after the ceremony. Of course, with a finished dress, you are dealing with details and interfacing and the need to submit all of them to the rigors of dyeing. Which in the case of Rit Dye or IDye means a long agitation in as warm a water as the fabric will stand. Which is why I would much rather try dyeing yardage than a finished garment although I have had success dyeing all cotton jackets, shorts, and tops (the polyester thread they are sewn with stay the same).
I have Rit dyes on hand usually, but this time I tried IDye in royal blue. You can see the results. From a cheerful but kitcheny check, it went to a darker blue and teal check which is a much better look for a dress which is what I am working on now. Stay tuned to see the final results.
For lots of color formulas and dyeing instruction, go here: https://www.ritdye.com/
For IDye, go here: https://www.jacquardproducts.com/idye-main
