it seems as though things have been taking a rather crafty turn around here lately! i just posted about my wrap top diy last week, and now i want to talk about indigo dye! you may remember my first foray into the technique last summer. but what you may not know is that since then, i’ve set up my own little shop in my mom’s backyard several more times. and more recently, i’ve been experimenting with different techniques about once a week. it’s not an especially glamorous process… i’m usually sweating over a big vat of stinky dye in 100 degree weather, so i never even think to get photos. but i finally pulled out my camera to get a few shots of what i’ve been up to!
on this particular afternoon, i tried a few different shibori techniques on cotton bandanas that i’ve been using as accessories around my neck, or tied to my purse. i dip-dyed a few tote bags and dresses. and i’ve been over-dyeing vintage dresses with really beautiful results. the mexican dress i’m wearing is one such piece that i’ve completely fallen in love with. yes, the original garment was beautiful with all of its rainbow colors, but i do really love the finished result, with its deep inky hue and muted tones.
i’ve actually amassed such a large collection of pieces that i think it’s time for me to set up a little shop! would you be interested in vintage pieces that have been hand over-dyed with natural indigo?
wearing:
hand dyed vintage mexican dress
ricardo medina botines
brookes boswell wakefield in panama straw
6 comments
Oh I loooove those overdyed dresses. Gorgeous! Been on my to-do list for ages, great to see how they turned out, that monochrome effect on the embroidery is just lovely. Thanks for sharing.
love the dress
http://hashtagliz.com
Love this, I would totally buy hand dyed dresses :)
That’s interesting. Have you experimented with dying the dress but not obliterating the embroidery? My assumption that was brightly colored.
the dress was a super bright blue and the embroidery was bright rainbow colors. the goal was to make the entire thing indigo blue with muted tones, and i’m really pleased with the result! but i definitely know that it’s not for everyone. i have dyed pieces that were sewn or embroidered with poly thread. in that case, the color remains because the dye only adheres to natural fibers.
That looks like hard work and loads of fun!!! Nice work!