How to dye fabric: simple techniques and step-by-step guide

The natural way of dyeing fabric is an age-old art and requires fine craftsmanship skills. Contemporary sensibility is finally orienting itself towards respect for the environment and ethical behavior, even in the field of fashion, and this is helping to spread it at the DIY level as well. Knowing how to dye fabrics naturally at home can allow you, for example, to give new life to garments that are still very beautiful and in good condition, but whose colors are faded or hopelessly “out-dated”.

We’re talking about clothing here, but the same dyeing techniques can also be applied to upholstery fabrics (sofa covers, for example) that can be rejuvenated and updated by some of the treatments we will try to describe in this post.

Long live tradition!

For fabric dying using traditional methods we need a pot of boiling water and liquid dyes. You’ll see, nothing too complicated, just follow these 4 steps in order:

1. preparation: wash the fabric to remove any residual dirt or impurities that might hinder the even penetration of the color

2. dye bath: Do you have a large pot? Most likely you do. Get it, fill it with hot water, and add the dye (remember to read and carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions)

3. dyeing: soak the fabric in the dye bath and continue stirring to evenly distribute the color

4. rinsing and drying: thoroughly rinse the fabric in cold water for several minutes and then dry outside (if possible, out of direct sunlight)

“Tie a knot and dye”: this is the meaning of the expression indicating a creative and even fun way of dyeing fabrics. Basically, before the dyeing process, one knots the garment in different ways to achieve unique, unrepeatable and, of course, colorful patterns. In this case, there are 3 steps:

1. knotting the fabric: knot, fold, or twist the fabric in various ways to create different designs

2. applying the dye: the dye should be applied on the various sections of the knotted fabric, using bottles with nozzles for greater control

3. soak and rinse: comply with the soak time indicated on the dye package, then rinse and dry.

Natural dyes are derived from plants, fruit, vegetables, roots, etc. Besides providing a more environmentally friendly dyeing process, natural dyes allow often beautiful and striking effects to be created. Here are some of the most common:

• beets: red
• spinach: green
• curcuma / turmeric: yellow
• blueberries: blue

This is all very well and good, but how is this actually accomplished? Good question! In this case the process is divided into five steps, all of which are quite simple:

1. preparing the dye: to get the intended color – red from beets for example – you must first boil the plant, fruit, or vegetable you have chosen in boiling water: mix two cups of water with each cup of organic material

2. filtration: after boiling the organic dyeing material, filter the liquid to remove any solid residue

3. dyeing: soak the fabric in the natural dye bath, remembering that this process is going to take quite a bit of patience: in fact, this step can take several hours; you must immerse the fabric in the dye bath and allow it to soak until it reaches the desired color intensity

4. fixing the color: to fix the color, you can add a natural fixative such as white vinegar or salt to the rinse water

5. rinsing and drying: rinse the fabric in cold water and dry outdoors.

Blue Blueberry

• Ingredients: 2 cups of blueberries + 4 cups of water
• Directions: boil the blueberries in water for about 30 minutes, then crush the berries to obtain more intense color. Filter the liquid and immerge the fabric. Let soak for several hours (even overnight, for example), then rinse and dry.

Yellow Curcuma / Turmeric

• Ingredients: 2 cups of blueberries + 4 cups of water
• Directions: boil the blueberries in water for about 30 minutes, then crush the berries to obtain more intense color. Filter the liquid and immerge the fabric. Let soak for several hours (even overnight, for example), then rinse and dry.

In recent years, new technologies have been developed for dyeing fabrics more efficiently and sustainably. Two significant examples are Wake and DyeMate, both of which have been developed by Tonello.

Wake: the revolution in natural dyeing

Wake is the first patented, 100% natural dyeing system, that uses only plants and plant waste such as flowers, berries, peels, and roots. Wake allows fabrics to be dyed sustainably, without the use of harmful chemical additives.

The process is simple: the raw materials are dried and infused, creating a natural dye that can be used to dye various types of fabrics. This approach not only reduces the environmental impact, but also produces biodegradable solid waste and skin-safe dyes. To learn more about Wake, visit Wake on the Tonello website.

DyeMate: the absolute indigo

DyeMate is another innovative technology from Tonello, designed specifically for indigo dyeing, a traditional dye famous for its intense blue tones. Indigo dyeing is notoriously complex and DyeMate simplifies this process, making it more precise and efficient.

DyeMate revives and reinvents tradition with a process carried out in a nitrogen atmosphere, without oxygen, and with controlled reduction and oxidation. Thus it is possible to achieve results that are absolutely cool and perfectly identical, in terms of charm, perceived authenticity, and “aesthetic flavor”, to those of denim, which fades and in fact. becomes vintage with the passage of time.

DyeMate reduces the use of water and chemicals, improving the efficiency of the dyeing process and reducing its environmental impact. Learn more about DyeMate and all other responsible dyeing technologies on the Tonello website (or the video below!).