Cut Out + Keep

Bleach Dye Fabrics

Find hidden colors you didn't know your fabric had!

https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/bleach-dye-fabrics • Posted by Anna the Ewok

I found a dress pattern that I wanted to try, but the only fabric I had that would drape right was shiny, solid purple. There's nothing wrong with that, but it just wouldn't work for the dress. I wondered if I could dye it with something I had in my cabinet, and what did I find but bleach!

You will need

Project Budget
Almost Nothing

Time

0 h 25

Difficulty

Pretty Easy
Medium img 6787

Description

I found a dress pattern that I wanted to try, but the only fabric I had that would drape right was shiny, solid purple. There's nothing wrong with that, but it just wouldn't work for the dress. I wondered if I could dye it with something I had in my cabinet, and what did I find but bleach!

Instructions

  1. Small img 6770

    Gather your applicator(s) and bleach. Do this outside! Bleach is very strong and the smell will get trapped in everything in your house.

  2. Small img 6771

    Lay out your fabric. You should iron it first. I was excited.

  3. Small img 6772

    Get your applicator nice and soaked in bleach. Like, really soaked. Then tap off the excess since you don't want it dripping on areas you don't want bleached.

  4. Small img 6773

    Apply bleach. Make sure it gets into the fabric.

  5. Small img 6776

    Apply your pattern in bleach. And then wait. For this silky stuff I had to wait about 4 minutes. Different fabrics will vary in time.

  6. Small img 6778

    Rinse it out in your bucket of water when you think you've waited long enough.

  7. Small img 6779

    Hang it up to dry and marvel at how it grew a lot. And wait. And wait. Because you already know what you want to use this for and you can't wait to get started.

  8. Small img 6787

    When it dries, turn it into something incredibly awesome. I turned it into a dress that wasn't tacky and shiny purple all over.