is it possible to dye corduroy?

[mafibisha]

Is it possible to successfully dye corduroy, in the interest of budget, ie making something last instead of buying new.

I did a google search and I'm still not sure. Its a reddish color and want to dye it black.

Sounds like I might need to use a *fiber reactive dye* - anyone have experience with it? I gather its not quite like RIT dye!

If so, where do you buy it, is it easy to use, and is it pricey?

TIA

 

[mafibisha]

Anyone with any thoughts or ideas? Please?

 

[mrudman]

I googled, trying to get an answer for you.. and few places I saw where they talk about dyeing corduroy said that it's almost impossible to get a nice black color, no matter what color you start with.

One post was talking about dyeing an orange-red vest, and the reply was that the best he/she'd probably get would be a muddy dark orange/brown.

Guess you could always try it, but doesn't sound like it would work.

 

[mafibisha]

I googled, trying to get an answer for you.. and few places I saw where they talk about dyeing corduroy said that it's almost impossible to get a nice black color, no matter what color you start with.

One post was talking about dyeing an orange-red vest, and the reply was that the best he/she'd probably get would be a muddy dark orange/brown.

Guess you could always try it, but doesn't sound like it would work.

Thanks for the reply. I'm thinking the same thing ... but hopeful someone here may have an alternative? Possibly using the *fiber reactive dye* that I've seen mentioned when googling?

Y'all know everything out there in DIS-LAND so please somebody, please let me know what you know about this. Please!!

 

[idofabric]

Go to http://www.dharmatrading.com/ They have a ton of info, and good prices on anything to do with fiber and dying.
I have dyed corduroy. The finished result will all depend on the fiber content, cotton takes dye very well, but man made fibers can be tricky.
A fiber reactive dye is easy to use, it is a few steps, but I have gotten very good blacks on napped fabric, which corduroy is, as is velvet and a few other type of fabric.
You will need to wash the item you want to dye, and DO NOT dry it. If you have used fabric softners, sheets or liquid or any other form, the fabric of the item you want to dye will have deposits of the softner sitting on the fabric, one of the reasons you need to wash it. The other reason is that wet fabric dyes more evenly then dry.
In the past I have used several different colors of black on the same piece of fabric/cloth to get the color I wanted. Some black dyes are based on red, some on blue, and I even had one based on green... I dyed, washed, and dryed the piece after each dye job so the dye would be fast, that is not bleed.
I usuall dye in my front load washer, it has a stainless steel drum, and have used a porcelin lined top loader. It takes a lot more dye, and more rincing/washing. Even if you think you have all the extra dye washed out, wash it again. And if you really want to be sure use a Dye Grab sheet, which I get in the grocery store...
Really this is so much easier then you think. Dharma has all the info on line, and will help you with more if you call them. Remember that stains will dye different then the rest of the piece, and color is different depending on the heat of the water, the hardness of the water, and the length of time you have the item in the dye bath.
Hope this helped....best of luck!

 

[riley2008]

Second DharmaTrading!!! They are great!

They also have a special detergent to wash items before dyeing. I use it on older items to make sure any grease/oil is really out. (You can also use the same detergent after dyeing in order to get out excessive dye.)

Also, make sure you know the fabric content. There are different dyes for natural versus synthetic fabrics. (I would guess that yours would likely be cotton though - but check to be sure.)

Also, remember that if the fabric is cotton and you use the fiber-reactive dye (for cottons) and the stitching on the item is polyester (nylon, etc), then the stitching won't dye.

 

[mafibisha]

Second DharmaTrading!!! They are great!

They also have a special detergent to wash items before dyeing. I use it on older items to make sure any grease/oil is really out. (You can also use the same detergent after dyeing in order to get out excessive dye.)

Also, make sure you know the fabric content. There are different dyes for natural versus synthetic fabrics. (I would guess that yours would likely be cotton though - but check to be sure.)
Also, remember that if the fabric is cotton and you use the fiber-reactive dye (for cottons) and the stitching on the item is polyester (nylon, etc), then the stitching won't dye.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

The content:

83% cotton
16% poly
1% spandex

I'm thinking it may not work...what do you guys think ?

 

[mafibisha]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

The content:

83% cotton
16% poly
1% spandex

I'm thinking it may not work...what do you guys think ?

Anyone?

Or, have you ever bleached all the color OUT of an item and then tried to dye it? Could that work?

 

[mafibisha]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

The content:

83% cotton
16% poly
1% spandex

I'm thinking it may not work...what do you guys think ?

Making one last-ditch effort to see what y'all think ....

I just hate to toss it and am willing to try anything, like bleaching the color OUT before trying to dye color IN ?

The worst that can happen is its ruined ... but its really not in good shape as it is.