*~*How I over~dye cotton floss*~*

I thought I would share with you how I sometimes over~dye my cotton floss. When Wal~Mart closed out their floss at a reduced rate...I started buying it up. At most stores I bought it all. I have boxes of it stored and Jenny came over and helped me to sort it by colors. Anyways, some of the colors were what I call "dog~ugly" and some are just too bright for my liking so with a little help from some rit dye it turned out perfectly prim!
Sometimes I dye with walnut crystals, tea, and cushing dyes for wools. Today though I chose some tan rit liquid dye.


Here's what I gather together:
An old crock~pot(I only use it for dyeing purposes)
gloves, rit dye( I mostly use tan), water, a plastic bowl, floss, old towels, or a cheap plastic tablecloth, an old apron if your messy like me (it might just save your clothes)





I remove all those little labels and then gently tie the floss into loose knots. It will help to give the floss a variegated type look. With darks and lights throughout the floss.








While you are working at getting your floss ready. Take your old crock pot outside and heat you some water. I don't fill it full...just about 1/2 way. It just depends on how much floss you plan to dye. Today I did several hundred and about 1/2 full was plenty. I add a couple of tablespoons of tan dye...I don't measure I just pour. I add a little more dye as I go along because the floss will soak up the color. You will notice that the water will lighten as you go and when it does just pour in some dye and your good to go again.





Once the water is good and heated I then put on my gloves and add the tied floss to the dye bath. It doesn't take long at all so keep a close eye on it.



You can see how it changes right in the crock pot. No more bright colors...perfectly prim!




You will want to remove it from the crock pot and place it in a bowl of water and vinegar. I just pour in a little vinegar into the clean water to help set the color. I also have used some salt to set the color.

I then rinse it 2 to 3 times to remove any vinegar smell or salt.


I then start untying the floss and laying it out on an old towel or cheap tablecloth. Today I used a tablecloth and used the cotton side of the tablecloth to lay the floss on. I leave it there until it air dries.




So if you like primitive needle punch or even primitive embroidery...this is a great way to dye a lot of floss at once.

Happy Trails to You.....Ginger