Adventures in Natural Dyeing: Turmeric Dress
24 Jul 2013
I am a fan of dyeing things, as has probably become evident, but my experience has been limited to RIT dyes, which are great, by the way. But I have been wanting to try dyeing something with turmeric ever since I saw my friend Hena do it so beautifully. I am still not a pro at getting things to take dye evenly, but I am so happy with how this dress came out.
For a little trip down memory lane, this is what the dress originally looked like. It was a thrift store find, and I loved wearing it on days when the weather veered north of 75 in Berkeley. I miss this apartment. I do not miss the days before I knew that you should generally keep your head straight in pictures. I wish there were an “edit awkward pose” option in Picasa. Get on it, Google!
The process is really simple. Make sure you get the entire garment evenly wet before dyeing. Otherwise it will take the dye in big splotches. From there, it’s basically just boiling turmeric in water with a bit of vinegar, and giving it some good stirring action. Hena will tell you exactly how to do it in her tutorial.
After I dyed my dress, I let it air dry and then washed it by hand. After it dried again, it was ready to wear. Except that I had decided that the halter ties were kind of annoying. They really pulled hard on my neck, so I decided to bring the ties down in an X and stitch them down. I used green thread and went over them several times. Now the dress feels much more secure and comfortable.
Since we get plenty of days north of 75 here, this dress is getting some good wear.
As you can see from this photo, different types of fabric take dye differently. Usually cottons get very bright, while synthetics remain pale. I was really surprised to find the opposite here–the acetate lining turned completely neon. Awesome.
Dyeing things creates its own momentum for me–once I’ve done one thing, everything looks like fair game! Given how well turmeric dyes my countertops when I spill it, I am sure it is more than up to the challenge of refreshing a few more garments.
Jul 24, 2013 @ 04:48:35
Wow. If the professor tried to do that, the dress would have inexplicably turned black, I think.
Jul 24, 2013 @ 21:56:04
This would be a very funny PL story, I think…And I must say that I think Ruber is really becoming my favorite! Something about endless toil must appeal to my soul!
Jul 25, 2013 @ 04:57:02
You’re right! It would (Ruber has a good turn of luck in tomorrow’s Robin Hood 3. It was fair this time.)
Jul 29, 2013 @ 10:17:57
Oh good! Ruber deserves it:)
Jul 24, 2013 @ 05:16:58
I love the dress as a yellow instead of a white! You’re quite brave to be dyeing stuff, I’ve never ventured. I tend to ruin more than one piece of clothing when handling bleach (which I don’t handle because of that). I am admiring that lovely book shelf with tons and tons of neatly shelved books 🙂
Jul 24, 2013 @ 21:58:25
Oh, thank you! I do love my books:) These shelves are in our living room now, and we have several more scattered through the house:) Dyeing is really kind of scary, as you never know what can happen, but I always started with things that were on their last legs. The first thing I dyed was a white tablecloth that had some stains on it. If it hadn’t come out, it wouldn’t have been a big loss! 😉 I have a terrible track record with bleach too! I just try to hold it as far away from my body as I can!
Jul 24, 2013 @ 07:01:41
I love the way the color took — it gives it a kind of delicate water color look. And I love the accessories!
Jul 24, 2013 @ 21:59:49
Thank you so much! What an elegant way of looking at a muted color! AND, I have watercolor ideas! I got a little palette at Blick a few months ago for map-making, but it appears that the real watercolors come in tubes like oil paints. Who knew? Well, not me. Anyway, I hope the ones I got turn out okay. And if not: to the majestic art store in LA!
Jul 24, 2013 @ 09:39:02
I love it! And I love the head tilt, there is no rule about head positions when a camera is out! It shows a cute personality. 🙂
Jul 24, 2013 @ 22:02:11
Thank you so much! I wholeheartedly appreciate your head tilt approval! I used to do that all the time until Eric started taking pictures of me for the blog. We both learned so much in the process! The sweet thing about that picture is that I sent it to Eric when he was on a research trip in Australia (for four months, before we were married). I wanted to show him my new dress and celebrate the warm day (uncommon in Berkeley!). So that head tilt will always carry those memories for me:)
Jul 25, 2013 @ 07:38:56
I remember that little dress! It looks sweet in yellow. I applaud your courage to dye inside a home. Whenever I try it the whole operation will have to be performed outside. Your Dad won’t go for tumeric colored countertops, cabinets and floors!
Jul 27, 2013 @ 12:47:32
Cameron has an advantage over you, Mary Beth. She rents.
Jul 29, 2013 @ 10:38:49
Ha! But there’s always the security deposit to consider!
Jul 29, 2013 @ 10:22:07
Thank you! I was as careful as I could be, but Eric was also out of town! Baking soda works wonders on turmeric stains. And there is always bleach! When are we going to have our craft camp?? Watch out–I will show up in your town one day!
Jul 31, 2013 @ 17:02:13
this made me think of you
http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2013/07/diy-tassel-dress.html
Aug 01, 2013 @ 22:18:36
Aw, thank you! I saw that too and loved the colors. I think if I made it, it would be tassels everywhere. Some of us have not learned the fine art of restraint!