Rit Dye Free Project - Shibori Velvet Pillows

INSPIRATION

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• White pillow covers: cotton, linen, silk, wool, ramie, rayon, nylon or a blend that does not contain more than 60% polyester

• Rit All-Purpose Liquid Dye: Denim Blue, Evening Blue or Purple mixed with Black or Navy (or choose your favourite colour)

• 11.5 Litres (3-gallon) plastic tub or bucket

• Measuring cup

• Measuring spoon

• Plastic or metal stirring spoon

• Office binder clips, 4 to 8

• Rubber gloves

• Paper towels or white fabric swatch

• Plastic table cover

• Mild detergent

• Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative (recommended)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cover table with plastic. Gather supplies.

2. For best results, pre-wash and dry pillow covers.

3. To create a shibori pattern, accordion fold pillow cover like a fan horizontally in folds of equal length (about 3” wide), with a minimum of three folds. This will form a long, rectangle similar to a fan.

4. Then accordion fold the rectangle into a 3” square.

5. Secure each edge of the fabric square on all sides with a large office binder clip. If desired, add more binder clips on each side. This will produce more white patterned areas.

Shibori Velvet Pillows

Shibori-dyed pillow covers are one of our favourite ways to update home décor. Dying on velvet fabric adds texture, stepping up the traditional shibori look to create unique and sophisticated pieces.

TIME: 1 Hour DIFFICULTY: Intermediate

DISTRIBUTED By Birch Creative Australia

6. Soak clipped fabric square in warm water while preparing dye so it is completely wet.

7. Fill large dye container with 7.57 litres (2 gallons) very hot water (60ºC or 140F). If water is not hot enough, heat water in a cook pot or teapot.

8. Shake dye bottles before measuring. Wearing rubber gloves, measure ½ cup Denim Blue dye or other colour and pour into hot water. Add up to 3 tablespoons Black or Navy dye for a darker indigo effect. Stir well.

9. Test colour using a swatch of white fabric or paper towel. If colour is too light, add more dye; if it is too dark, add more water.

10. Immerse clipped fabric square into dyebath. Move fabric square around and press down with spoon to be sure dye penetrates the fabric. For a high contrast pattern, keep the fabric square in the dye for 3 to 5 minutes to keep the clipped part dye-free. For more colour, let square set in dye bath for 10 to 20 minutes.

11. When satisfied with the colour, remove fabric square. Squeeze out excess dye. Do not remove clips.

12. Recommended: To enhance the colour and reduce colour bleeding, immediately dip the clipped fabric square into Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative for 20 minutes, following directions on bottle.

13. Remove clips and rinse pillow cover with cool water until rinse water begins to run clear. Then wash the pillow cover in mild detergent with warm water, rinse and dry.

14. Add a pillow form and enjoy.