DIY: Indigo Dyed Fabric

DIY Indigo Dyed Fabric

Did you guys love the indigo fabrics from the Runaway Pop Up Elopement event we shared this morning? I know I totally did (yep, indigo is one of my colors I’m a bit obsessed with currently!) So, we asked Tori of Sitting in a Tree who created these gorgeous fabrics along with Jamie from Rad + In Love for some tips on how we could create similar fabrics ourselves. Fabrics like this would be perfect for a backdrop (as they were used in the elopements) or maybe a tablecloth for a dessert table or backdrop for a photo booth – endless possibilities!

You can pick up this indigo dye online. Then arm yourself with rubber gloves, some buckets, and a nice clothesline (ideally) where you can spread out the project to dry. It’s pretty messy, depending how big your fabric is, so be prepared!

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There are tons of options on how to dye. If you are looking for a traditional shibori method (a lot of what you are seeing in stores at the moment), we suggest a quick little tutorial online for how to tie and bind your fabric using sticks, rocks and boards to create pattern. We did a little of both – the other option being more a tie dye route where you use rubber bands to randomly secure and twist the fabric.

The indigo takes several dips in the dye bath to reach that deep blue color – so you actually dip it several times in the process (whichever way you decide to tie off your fabric) and then let it come out for air and to breath and oxidize. It will be a light green color and then slowly turn as it reaches air. You then continue to dip it – anywhere from 5-12 times depending on your patience level and what you are trying to achieve. It’s not as quick as your standard tie dying process.

After you’ve finished dipping your fabrics, you hose them off and open them up to air dry and watch them transform into little pieces of art. We used everything from old/stained baby clothes, to cotton and muslin blankets that were white or cream in color, to polyester dresses. They all turned out different, with the cotton and muslin taking the dye best!

So, here’s a quick step by step run down:

1. Mix your dye
2. Tie off your fabric
3. Rinse with water to saturate your fabric
4. Dip in the indigo dye
5. Take out, let it oxide a bit
6. Repeat some dips in the indigo for variation and depth of color
7. Rinse off and untie
8. Enjoy your creations!

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So, I know I’m ready to dye a bunch of things indigo! Kind of loving the idea of dying some baby clothes! :) If anyone decides to try their hand at indigo dying, we’d love to see your results! Please share any of your DIY photos with us on Instagram and use the hashtag #GreenWeddingShoesDIY. Happy Crafting!

Thanks to Rad + In Love for the photos

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