Grandma and her boys

Tuesday 9 March 2010

Dyed Buttons

Not something I have ever tried doing but it seems it is very easy check out a friends blog
Becky who lives in Dubai.
While I was also in Dubai we used to have some great different sort of craft classes, but never this one.
Photo's  from Becky's blog.

I sent Becky an email to find out more and this is part of her reply......

Now let's see, you mentioned the dyes...they are called Disperse Dyes and are used to dye nylon polyester etc.
Suppliers of Disperse Dyes are Abigail's Crafts, Stonehouse, Glos:
http://www.abicailcrafts.co.uk/  and  http://www.colourcraftltd.com/

How to dye the buttons:
Put less than 1/4 teaspoon of dye powder to about half a pint of cold water.
Bring to boil in a stainless steel pan (use only for dyeing). Bring to a boil with the buttons and simmer about 5 minutes or until buttons are the color you desire.
Rinse thoroughly....she drained them in an old colander, then put them in an old bowl and added a bit of Fairy Liquid ( washing up liquid ) and swished that around then just kept rinsing until
the soap was gone, then she drained them again and laid them out on an old towel to dry, they dry quickly, just pat with the towel.
You may save the dye liquid, label it in old jam jars, you may need to add a bit of dye powder to get the color you want. She also dipped buttons in one dye then another for
different colors. She kept an old brush to clean the pan and the bowls...you must do that so you have no dye residue.
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This all sounds simple I really can't wait to try it, I know you can buy buttons here in NZ in large bags in Spotlight all one colour and I know they have white, if not the op shops always have buttons for sale, and we all have a tin of shirt buttons hidden away.
I think this would be great class for Patchwork and Embroidery guild.

2 comments:

By Hoki Quilts said...

Hi Laurie, how was your trip, I may have missed a post or two if you wrote about it - darned broadband has been down on and off for ages, grrrrr.
The dyed button look to be a really good idea.
hugs-Miche'le

Ali Honey said...

That's a good idea if you need lots in one colour. Will put that idea away in the back of my mind for if I have a need. I still collect some nice buttons just in case I need them!

Eagerly awaiting part 2 of the train adventure!