Tea Dying/Tinting

[chimes]

I know a lot of people on here do some dying of fabric with tea.  I have yet to try it, but I have some tea that I currently really like, and it would turn things a lovely color.

It's Lipton Cranberry Pomegranate tea.  It is almost a burgundy color (I hope that's not a food coloring..but it *is* lipton)... and it would make for a really interesting dye I think. 

[glitterbug12]

How do you dye something with tea? Do you just soak the garment in it, or do you need something to seal the colour in?

[Cinnapaste]

Sorry for bumping up the old post. I'm not sure how people here feel about that since this is my first post here. (Hi, I'm Amanda = ])

anyway, I was wondering how exactly you dye something with tea also?
I saw someone post something about it earlier and I was thinking the cranberry pomegranate tea would work well too.

Thanks in advance = ]

[Lylyfai]

I just recently updated a fussy old 80's crocheted pillow for my mom. I soaked the bright white thread crochet in a strong mixture of Gunpowder tea (fairly warm) to which I had added 3 tbs. of plain old vinegar (the vinegar makes it permanent). Washed it after and it looked great....

A couple of things...make sure you don't leave any leaves in the mix...they will get on the fabric and dye darker...plus it can be a pain to get them out of fuzzy or really lacy lacy. And check it a lot....tea staining can be affected by everything, how hard/soft your water is...how fresh/aged your tea is.... so few items dye the exact shade. Start with 10 minutes and work your way up. It really is a nice look! Good luck!

Oh and welcome Amanda!

[Cinnapaste]

Thank you = ]

and thanks for the advice. I'm definitely going to have to try it with..well something .

Quick questions. Does anyone know if it would work for canvas shoes? I have a cheap pair of wannabe chucks that are plain white and they need something done to them = p Since they're a canvas material I think it would work but I figured I would ask and see if anyone knew.