DIY Projects :: How to Dye Fabric
If you recall, I am organizing a zebra print inspired baby shower in August. Once I returned from my vacation (check), I would start and/or finish the DIY projects I planned. Read my old post, if you want to refresh your memory or have no idea what I am talking about. The first project I immediately pounced on the napkin dying. It literally took me two months to track down Rit Dye Fuchsia #12. Of course I could by it on the internet at various stores, but each box was about $8 dollars (including shipping). No thanks. I called all craft stores and fabrics stores in the area. This is not exaggeration. I was determined to find Fuchsia #12 before I went on vacation. Thank goodness for Fabric Depot. The helpful staffed informed me if their always in stock Rit Dye and they had at least 5 boxes of the pretty pink powder. Thus, I bought two boxes (plus 25% off from the sale FD was running) for under 6 dollars. You never know when you need a second box of Fuchsia #12. Now, let the show begin!
1) I gathered the napkins and checked the tag to make sure it is a fabric that can take up the dye. A list of fabrics are on the inside of the Rit box. I washed my stark white napkins in the washing machine and did not dry them. Filled up a large stock pot with warm water and watched it until it boiled (ha).
2) Then, I rinse napkins with warm water in the sink and dumped a cup of salt in the stock pot.
3) Filled up a glass measuring cup with 2 cups of hot tap water and poured the powder in the cup to dissolve it. I used all stainless steel, glass or disposable items to avoid staining my kitchen utensils.
4) I then poured the dark pink liquid into the pot and added a tablespoon of laundry detergent. Soap makes water wetter, allowing the dye to adhere to the fabric easier. Thanks to Bill Nye Science Guy for this science tip. See.. Mom and Dad. I did learn something from watching TV.
5) The warm napkins were gently placed in the boiling pot to avoid the dye from splashing onto the counter tops. I stirred the napkins around every few minutes with my Sherwin Williams paint stick. I turned down the heat so the water was simmering.
6) Once the napkins achieved the shade I wanted, I removed them with my BBQ tongs and placed them back in my sink. I rinsed them with warm water until the water was clear and the pink dye was no longer present. Tossed them in the wash and dried them as I would colored cotton clothing.
Upon inspection, I found the color faded more than I would have liked. So I repeated the steps again with my extra box of Rit Dye. Luckily, I thought to buy two. 
Total Cost
Two boxes of Rit dye: $5.96
Package of 12 white cotton napkins: $9.99
Total per napkin: $1.32
You can sell your napkins to the next bride. Using Bravo Bride or The Knot (message board: Trash to Treasure) you can sell your weddings goods and recoop some of your expense.
Now the finished product! Just a little pressing before the party and they are all ready to go! Do you have any questions you are “dyeing” to ask? Or any coloring mishaps from the past? For me, I slightly dyed my hands as I was rinsing them in the warm water bath.
[...] Freshly dyed DIY cloth napkins in Fuchsia #12 worked well with the lime green napkins from Jessica’s Wedding were perfect on the table. [...]