Dyeing fabric is so much easier then I ever thought. I got a few emails wondering about the colors I used and just some basic questions about the whole process. Now just remember I have only done this twice now. Once with the boxed powdered dye and once with the liquid dye. So I don’t know everything there is to know about it, but really it is pretty basic and all you have to do it read the back of the containers and have about 30-60 minutes worth of time. It really is one of those things that once you do it, you will want to keep on doing it…soon you will be dyeing everything within site. So to dye fabric using the bucket method and with the powdered Rit dye in the packages you will need:
1. Some powdered Rit Dye that comes in the boxes. It can be purchased in any fabric/craft store and even at most supermarkets.
2. THREE yards of white cotton fabric WASHED. You can use a light colored fabric as well but that will make a difference in the final color once dyed. It is best to use 100% cotton, linen, silk, wool and other blends that have mostly cotton in them. Just refer to the back of the package of your dye for more details to which fibers can be dyed. I used just a plain white muslin that cost $2.99 a yard at JoAnn’s. I have to be honest, it may not have been 100% cotton but it still worked great and the colors were pretty true to what I thought they would be once dyed.
3. A 5 gallon bucket or a few. Obviously one bucket per color.
4. Something long to stir the fabric with. I used a wooden dowel cut in half, but you can use anything. Just keep in mind that it may dye it along with the fabric.
5. Gloves. I didn’t have any, but wish I did. It will dye your hands.
To get started you will need to be close to a sink or a place where you can easily transfer hot water to your buckets. I just used hot water from the sink and dyed my fabric in the kitchen. Of course you can just fill your buckets with hot tap water and then bring them outside. Now fill up your bucket with about 3 gallons of hot tap water per one package of powder dye. (The powder and liquid dyes do call for different ratios and slightly differ in their methods so just make sure you are following the directions on the back of the packages or bottles. It may sound confusing, but really it is so easy! And remember I am showing you the powdered method in a bucket.) Dissolve your whole package of Rit dye into 2 cups of hot water then add it to your 3 gallons of water in the bucket. Stir. Now take your 3 yards of fabric and run it under some hot water. Just make sure that your fabric it is not folded. Place your fabric into the bucket.
Now it is time to stir and stir away! You are going to have to stir for about 10-30 mintues…constantly. 30 minutes seems like a lot but just so you know ahead of time, with the liquid Rit dye you have to stir for 30-60 minutes. So whenever possible I would rather choose to use the boxed dye instead of the liquid. Now no, I didn’t stir constantly, but close to it and I still came out with a great result. 
As you would imagine the longer the fabric is in the dye to more vibrant the fabric becomes. I left my fabric in for the whole 30 minutes. Now gently pour out your liquid from the buckets and start rinsing your fabric. I just poured my buckets down the sink while the water was running to keep from staining my sink too much. Start with warm water and slowing end with cool water. Rinse until all the water is clear. I have an old cast iron sink that did slightly dye but it cleaned up very easily. Just refer to the package if you are worried about staining your sink.
Place your dyed fabric directly into the washer and wash with your regular detergent. Dry as usual. And that is it…Easy peasy? Yes, it is time consuming, but worth it. At least I think so!
Because the color of these dresses couldn’t be any cuter!
Beautiful, Christina! I just picked up some Rit dye the other day. I’m planning to dye my stash of white buttons for our daycare crafts. I’ve heard it can be done. I haven’t used Rit since I was a teenager, and we used to dye our jeans back in the ’80’s!:)
Years ago , after dying your fabric we would put it in a bucket of salt and vinegar to set the dye.
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