Dyes and fading

[Leda EmBorr]

Yesterday I re-dyed my previously dyed brown tunic a bit darker. It had faded on the shoulders from being on the hanger... not even in the sun, just from the light of the room! It fades when I sweat in it around the belt and around the neck and underarms. I used Rit dye... very hot... salt... let it sit for an hour! Rinsed well... still the color just won't set.

Funny thing is that even when I buy colored crinkle gauze in the store, the color sometimes fades the same way, especially from sweat.

Anyone experience this with gauze? Got any solutions?

[Ani-Chay Pinn]

The general rule I know is that heat sets stains (though it can fade fabric, too). I've baked some dyed fabrics and costumes -- 150-200 degF on foil spread over the oven racks for a few hours can help. The color seems to stay.

Have you tried washing it with a couple of cups of white vinegar? That is supposed to set dyes, though that can depend on the dye.

[Nova Darklighter]

Natural fabrics lose dyes and fade faster, but if a dye job won't help, you could change up tabbards or distress the whole tunic for an after battle look, they can be fun.

[Leda EmBorr]

I found a Rit dye set solution. I'm gonna try that. This brown dye turns sort of pink-ish when it fades lol.

[Leda EmBorr]

Besides fading... another blunder I ran into: the thread didn't dye!

Now I have a nice dark brown tunic (used to be tan) with light tan thread. You can see where I accidentally sewed two same side tabards instead of two opposite, and my invisible hems are no longer invisible.

Ah well. It's not my best tunic anyways. Just an extra for a change when I get sick of the lighter ones.


Tip: If you plan to dye an already sewn tunic make sure you used 100% cotton thread!

[Nova Darklighter]

Or Silk thread, poly wrapped cotton won't take a dye, forgot about that, been awhile sine I've dyed a finished item.