How to Dye Silk Ribbon
Whether you want the perfect shade of pastel ribbon for your wedding decorations or vividly colored ribbon for crafts, you can easily dye silk ribbon at home in your kitchen with a few basic supplies.
Things You'll Need
- 100 percent silk ribbon
- Yarn scraps
- 1 tbsp. dye powder (acid or fiber-reactive)
- 1 cup salt
- 6 qt. or 8 qt. stock pot
- 1 gallon water
- Large metal spoon
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- Dishwashing soap
Instructions
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1
Wind silk ribbon around the back of a chair so that it forms a large circle, then lift the circle of bundled ribbon off the chair.
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2
Tie scraps of yarn loosely around the bundle of ribbon at regular intervals of about 3 to 4 inches. This will prevent tangling during the dye process.
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3
Mix 1 tbsp. of dye powder (acid dyes, such as Jacquard or Procion) into 1 cup of salt in the bottom of an old stock pot. Stir thoroughly to separate any chunks of dye that are sticking together. Place the pot on a stove.
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4
Add 1 gallon of hot water slowly while stirring with a large metal spoon to dissolve the salt and dye. When the dye is thoroughly dissolved, gently place your silk ribbon in the pot. Turn the stove burner to medium high.
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5
Stir gently as the pot heats. Avoid letting any of the ribbon rest in one place at the bottom of the pot, as this may cause scorching. When the water begins to boil, add 1/2 cup of vinegar while stirring.
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6
Boil the dye bath for five minutes, still stirring, then turn off the burner. Stir occasionally as the dye bath cools. When the pot has cooled to room temperature, pour off the dye water,
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7
Add a squirt of dishwashing soap, and fill the pot with cold water. Wash your ribbon carefully by hand, then drain off the water. Repeat this process until the water runs clear. Rinse in cold water, remove ties and air dry.
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Tips & Warnings
This method produces an evenly dyed ribbon of one shade. For a more interesting look, mix up small amounts of different colors and pour them over different parts of the ribbon before heating the pot to boiling. For paler colors, use less dye; for darker colors, use more. Kool-Aid powder can be substituted for the dye in this recipe, but the results will not be as vivid or as colorfast.
Do not use either the pot or the spoon for cooking after they have been used for dyeing fabric.
