Many methods may be used to dye Cross Stitch fabric. Use items from your home, or purchase products designed for dyeing fabric. Experiment with different methods for creating unique fabrics for stitching.
1. Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint is a great medium for fabric. You can use it directly from the tube, dilute it, or incorporate an additional additive that will allow you to heat set the paint. There are even glow in the dark acrylic paints.2. Bleach (Works on Colored Fabrics)
Taking a careful approach, bleach may be used to remove color from fabric. You should do spot tests first, because some fabrics have interesting under colors.3. Coffee Dyeing
Photo © Connie G. Thomas, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Change the color of your Cross Stitch fabric with left-over coffee or used coffee grounds. Soaking the fabric in diluted coffee will produce an all over color change while scattering grounds on the fabric produce a marbled effect.
In the photo, the non-dyed fabric is on the left. As you can see, coffee dying fabric (shown on the right) produces a subtle effect.
In the photo, the non-dyed fabric is on the left. As you can see, coffee dying fabric (shown on the right) produces a subtle effect.
4. Crayon Tinting
Grab the kids crayons and color on your fabric. I am serious. Or, better yet, buy your own new box of crayons to use. (Love that smell!)5. Drink Mix Dye
Kool Aid and other purchased drink mixes make great dyes. Don't you know how difficult the stains are to get out?6. Hot or Cold Water Dyes
Purchased dyes come in two main forms - hot water and cold water formulas. Either one will be great for changing the color of your fabrics.7. Marbleing
If you decide to marble fabric, you will want to do more than one piece at a time. Setting up the marbling solution is time-consuming. Learn more about marbling.8. Martha Beth Lewis on Dyeing Fabric With Coffee and Tea
Martha Beth Lewis has great tips about using coffee and tea, along with some warnings about how it affects your fabric.9. Stamping
Use stamps to create a unique background or use the stamps as a pattern for stitching a design.10. Tea Dyeing
Tea Dyed fabric smells so good. Use different types of teas to produce different colors. Tea dyeing produces a much more dramatic effect than coffee dyeing.
11. Tie-Dyeing
How many t-shirts did you tie dye when you were younger? Apply the technique to Cross Stitch fabric for a cool affect.12. Watercolor Paint
Learn how to add watercolors to your projects by watching this Leisure Arts video.Submit a Photo of Your Cross Stitch Project
Have you done a project on hand-dyed fabric? Share a photo for the About.com Cross Stitch Photo Album
