Tonight I stayed up entirely too late hand dyeing silk ribbon. I had been tempted to go and buy some and then decided to remind myself how easy it is to do at home! Here are the instructions for all you adventurous folks.
Supplies:
Silk Ribbons
Food Coloring ( I use Wilton paste colors)
Toothpics
Vinegar
Plate
Something with wells, to use as a palette
Old Paint Brushes
Water Vessel
Take one toothpick full of color (or a tiny squirt for liquid colors) and put in your palette well. Add 1 cap of Vinegar and stir. Leave toothpick in for stirring. The paste colors take a bit to dissolve and I don't worry if they don't completely dissolve, because you can smoosh it around with your brush.
Wet your ribbon in the water vessel and lightly squeeze out. Lay on the plate in a bunch so parts overlap.
Take your brush and dip it in your first color. Randomly splotch this onto the ribbon and allow it to flow. Add up to 3 colors or so and allow them to mix, or leave some white areas.
Allow to sit a few minutes. Rinse in clean water until the water runs clean. Squeeze out water and pat in an old towel. Hang until dry.
Once the ribbon is dry, iron on silk setting to set the color.
As far as I have been able to find out, these colors are permanent and washable, but you should do your own tests!
Oh yeah, be sure to wear gloves if you don't want hand dyed hands!
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