Q & A, A - C, Craft Tales

Antiquing Fabric

Margaret's Question - "I was reading the directions on how to make the apples and I really want to give them a try, but I was wondering: instead of painting the apples I`d like to try using muslin and "antiquing" the material first. I have seen this done before on other projects and I like the effect however; I`ve never done this before and don`t know how, any suggestions? Thank you for this website, it`s very handy."

Craft Tales Answer - "Thanks for your question, and it's a very good one, too, as there are many varied ways to achieve "antiquing" for fabric, and unfortunately no one way will work for all occasions. First, there are many different types of fabric; cotton will not dye the same as silk, and polyester will hardly dye at all. Next is the question of which dying agent to use: tea, coffee, acrylic ink, or acrylic paint. I'm sure there are more, about anything that can be thinned with water will work! The last question to ask is what type of effect are you looking for: lightly dyed, heavily dyed, dark brown or light cinnamon or a combination of both. Of course when you factor in the inks and paints, any color is obtainable. You may dye your project at almost any phase of the construction. The cloth can be dyed before any layout or cutting. It can be dyed after cutting, or after assembly and sometimes even after the project is finished.

Once you have decided on the look you want, here is where to start: Mix a test dye bath by starting with a heavy concentration of the dying agent, tea, coffee or ink, and just enough water to cover your fabric. Take a sample of the fabric and test the dye. Once the sample is dry, see if the effect is what you are looking for. If the test is too dark, add water. If the test is too light add more tea, coffee or ink. You can use coffee and tea together for a variation on the color as tea has a light cinnamon color while coffee has a darker brown color. Instant tea or coffee works just as well as brewed. If you are tying acrylic paint, remember that the fabric will dry stiffer; the more paint, the stiffer the fabric. Start with the smallest amount of paint and the most water that will still achieve the color you want. This method is best suited to brush on after the project is sewn. Once you are satisfied with your test results, mix a larger batch of dye to complete your project, using the same mixture ratio of dye agent to water that you used in the test.

You may apply the dye by dipping the fabric in the bath, by putting the dye in a spray bottle and spaying it on for a blotchy, really old effect, or you can brush it on with a piant brush. If you dye the fabric before sewing, the dye will be relatively even. If you sew the seams and dye the project before stuffing, the dye will be darker at the seams. You can tie the fabric into little bunches before dyeing for a "tie dye" effect. If you spray the dye on from a spray bottle, it will dry in spots, and the heavier you spray the more the spots and rings will overlap and the darker they will become. You have the largest degree of control if you brush it on. Simply brush a little here and there where you want it and let it dry. Continue brushing where you wish the heaviest accents to be and letting it dry between coats until it has the proper effect.

Hope this helps, and happy fabric dying!