How to dye fabric with tea bags and rusty nails to get exciting finishes and different effects!

An indepth look at how to dye your fabrics using teabags and rusty nails including what fabrics you can use, how to make up the dye, how to get different effects and what you can make with your finished pieces of fabric!
Keep an eye on my Community page for pictures of the finished fabrics and anything I make with them...
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and look at some samples
12:16 Book Cover Sample
14:16 What materials can you use?
18:10 Preparing your fabrics
21:05 Making and applying the tea dye
23:44 The reveal!
37:30 My favourite pieces and what you can use them for
Music:
Life in Romance by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Artist: www.twinmusicom.org/

[@syntheticgrasscentralcoast4114]

Your videos have inspired me to pursue my passions.

[@loristoneback9455]

This reminds me of finding artifacts on a soldier in a battlefield in the 1st and 2nd world wars😢❤Just simply memories, that’s all. To everyone, with all my Love from the bottom of my heart ♥️ ❤❤❤❤😢!!!!

[@patty_valle]

Can’t wait to see what you make with these!

[@karenmacduff8471]

Wow Sarah!! This was a wonderful surprise on a Sunday evening… in US. I love it❤! My mind is whirling with ideas. Thank you for this very spontaneous creating process. 🥰. Can’t wait to experiment.

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

According to KZbin this is when most people are watching the channel so I thought I would just put it up! It was a lot of fun, I'm looking forward to making things with it...

[@KBT1951]

I really like your videos Sarah. I love your sense of playfulness in this channel, but I also know from watching the embroidery videos that you are a very accomplished needlewoman. You are very skillful and a good teacher.

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

Thank you! I love to play and see where I can take my skills...

[@user-wt6wj2li2m]

Love the results you have what a great video thank you Sarah, can’t wait to see what you make, my mind is working overtime with ideas.

[@robynnedorion3900]

Great video. I was amazed at what you did with tea and rusty metal. I would never have imagined.

[@jessicaparker5161]

Fabulous! Mum just emptied the box of inherited doilies and said "here do something with these". Some are turning yellow, so I'm going to try this for a few or them. Thank you Sarah 😊

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

Fantastic resource! You can have a lot of fun with those Jessica

[@sweetpollynette]

At 32:39 the calico that had the nails wrapped in reminds me of an impressionist painting of people walking in the rain and fog. I love how that one turned out! It would look nice if bright umbrellas were stitched at appropriate places.

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

I shall get that piece out and have another look!

[@emiliabarbosa8835]

Sarah, I love your creative genius and your no nonsense approach ❤ Thank you

[@MoniqueSWarden]

These pieces are indeed a work of art. 🥰🙌🏾

[@terribradburn6685]

The secret to getting lace pattern on paper is to soak the paper in tea bath, when you take it out put dry lace on the paper and let it dry. I haven’t tried it with fabric yet (instead of paper), but when I have time after the holidays (everyone has a big but- lol)- it is on my to try list

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

That is what I tried Terri with the fabric but the lace on top just soaked up the tea! Maybe it wasn't the right material 🤔. I have seen people do it very successfully with plastic lace (table runner I think) but that isn't easy to find these days!

[@deniserester7181]

i I just love the colors. Thank u for showing me this. I have always wanted to try was not sure how.

[@michelleramsey4302]

You are so right, the hardest part is WAITING. I used black tea and turmeric tea and I just stared at it for hours silently screaming "hurry up and turn colors"..lol...Now I am yelling at it to "Hurry Up and dry"....lol...Thanks for sharing this tip I cant wait to use the fabric.

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

How did yours come out with the turmeric teabags Michelle? They did dry quick when I put them on the radiator!

[@michelleramsey4302]

@@sarahhomfraycreates It is gorgeous can't wait for it to dry I have so many design ideas for the fabric... I tell everyone within earshot how awesome you are and how your teaching skills are TOP NOTCH!!!

[@BarbaraUK927]

I had such fun doing this. I was too impatient the first time, so had to watch again and follow your instructions to the letter.

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

This definitely comes out better if you can wait for them to dry naturally...I found that part difficult too!

[@BarbaraUK927]

@@sarahhomfraycreates just got second lot out. So much better. And sent a link to my friend in Cyprus so as she has now watched it too, I will show her my results tonight. Now to plan what to do with them all. At least my old white sheets are looking a whole lot more interesting thanks to you!

[@dianeford6796]

Hi Sarah, I'm totally spellbound by your work. I've never tried anything like this but can't wait to have a go.....how exciting!!! I will be having a go with a few aged pieces of lace I have and bits of aged table cloths. I'm so glad a came across your videos and I'm loving them. Many thanks Sarah x

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

The key is to let them dry naturally Diane so be patient and they will come out beautifully!

[@judithhope8970]

Some of these look like works if art. Stone age wall paintings. Beautiful.

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

They are almost too nice to stitch on!

[@maureengauvin1768]

Agree! First thing that came to my mind were the LeCaux (sp?) Cave Paintings in France…. research it - extraordinary prehistoric/neanderthal cave wall art discovered in the 1970’s. Were opened to the public for a time, but degradation ensued due to the hordes of people viewing, changes in light & temperature etc. They are no longer open to public viewing. Def worth looking up Sarah; same color palette as your tea/iron dye haul…. just a thought for inspiration in a different direction! 🧡🧡

[@commentnocomment3246]

You are VERY correct! In the long term, the rust will degrade the fabric faster than other methods of dying the fabric. So please don't put anything you want to keep for a while or even store near the rust dyed items together. I know this because of several reasons, one including a washer barrel or drum that wasn't in the best condition that I unintentionally rust dyed something in every load of laundry I did for several months, which eventually just ate holes thru all those clothes in 5-10 washes. I also had humidity issues in rooms where metal objects had been in contact with fabric and pretty much all oxidation from metal is not kind to fabric in the long term. If you are looking for other ways to possibly get the same effect from wrapping screws or other carved or textured things, you can soak them in dye if they are absorbent, let the dye dry in the crevices wipe the top of the surface free of the dye and then wrap it that way kinda like the reverse of how a stamp works, but there's also tye dye methods that do neat things and that's with flat objects clamped in the center of folded fabric that leave the areas under them undyed which is kinda neat but with less unplanned results than the neat patterns you are getting here. Like I said, though, rust metal and oxidation, if you are actually wanting to keep it or use it long term. Skip it, and try dye with rust hues.

[@raniachloe6747]

so beautiful

[@artistgrly]

Fantastic!!!

[@suzannegarcia9001]

Beautiful, thank you for sharing

[@pamgrover9910]

Brilliant work

[@Craftylisa69]

Can’t wait to see what you create . I’m itching to try this now . Yes please for more organic fabric dyeing. I loved the results on manage fibers too. I was oooing and arring as you revealed their beauty. Absolutely stunning 😍

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

So was I Crafty Lisa! Opening each one was like Christmas!😁

[@angeladingwall5680]

I love them so much fun xx

[@danawegner9572]

So inspiring!

[@radhasrinivasan203]

Superb!!

[@miekevanreet2544]

oooh you give me so mutch inspiration!! ❤

[@susandeveaux4117]

Fascinating!! Thank you for sharing this process !!!!

[@diannecousins2321]

Just found your channels, so inspiring!

[@sandramyer7081]

Great ideas from nature!

[@victoriafaas4745]

Amazing

[@margaretmetcalfe9380]

Some really pretty results

[@BooBeaux]

Thank you for this video. I would love to see a project or two that you complete with these tea dyed fabrics and ribbons.

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

They will get used BooBeaux, I've got some ideas!

[@jmuehlbauer42]

Thanks you for the excellent show!! I just agreed to exhibit a display of art quilts in April and was working on ideas today. Well, now, I can see all my backgrounds will be tea dyed rust water fabric. I am thinking bugs and botanicals. Excellent! Cheers!

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

That sounds wonderful!

[@sharonbower6446]

Beautiful dying of the fabric,

[@tasanijanus7092]

very lovely

[@vindeljay]

How interesting.

[@hinaynihorvath3926]

thank you very interesting

[@watercolourmadesimplewithb8617]

This looks like fun. I’ll try it for sure. Thanks ❤️🙏

[@zonagal4982]

Organic Artwork - Just beautiful! This is a great experiment that turned out magical! Thanks for sharing 🙂

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

It was alot of fun!

[@kathybell8037]

What a treat ! ! Thank you....as soon as the holidays are over I'm getting into this 🙂. Thinking of all kinds of abstracts....will be a nice change.

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

It was a lot of fun Kathy!

[@kirstencook1439]

🥰Keep Rocking 🤙 the good stuff 👍 Beautiful people 🤗 the 🖖 continue with your creative vision play zen travels safe healthy happy creative 2023⏳🕛🎇🔔🎊🎈🎉🥂🍾🕺💃🥵🌡️in 50s 💜🙏💚🕊️🇺🇸🦅🗽🌹🐞🐦🍁🌳🪵🦫 Been getting ready to just this is the year lots rust items collected I fruit avocado chocolate tea dye paper towels heave duty towels so on to fabric l embroidery 🪡🧵✂️ both materials. I fan dry drape over fan dries in no time 😉

[@jneigler]

This is such a fascinating technique! Love how you explain the process. The results are really impressive and beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

[@number1nanaof2]

Oh my. The fabrics nearer the end with all those colors and the rust stains are gorgeous. I really love them. Must try. Now to find some nails and get them rusty. I already have tons of tea... all sorts. 🥰

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

Vinegar on the nails will help them rust faster if they need a helping hand!

[@mariaeinarsson]

❤

[@laracraft82]

Love this idea tea bags and rusty nails very cool haven't seen any around my house so far rusty nails but plenty of tea bags, especially in this cold weather in Wales UK 🥶😕

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

I looked on the garage floor!! :) I think I might make a quilt out of all the pieces!

[@judymarkel8029]

Very fun. Now to get the tea bags and nails out😊

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

They aren't really for drinking and hammering Judy...:)

[@kellystallard2371]

Love it!! there is a little bit of dark and twisty in you too!! x

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

:)

[@peggysueway3889]

Ok, so episode II with everything ironed?? :)

[@kimberleymaloy1728]

Please show us what you decide to do with that ribbon, I think it's gonna be lovely.

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

I will do Kimberly!!

[@NannyOggins]

The dyed sample at 6.34 is gorgeous. Ive done a good bit of dyeing but never used rust. Definitely my next experiment!

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

The rust reacts really well with the tea!!

[@annewozniak57]

I absolutely love this video, I had a bit of a tinker about with rust dying earlier this year but I am so soooo inspired to do more ! Thanks again for another great video - stay warm !

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

I think I will make myself a big quilt out of all the pieces Anne!! Brrrrr.......

[@annewozniak57]

@@sarahhomfraycreates super idea !

[@fingerprickinggood]

Great video Sarah, rust dyeing is on my to try list, and those little parcels of loveliness reminded me of pigs in blankets, LOL

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

Jonathan thought they looked like dumplings...:D! x

[@fingerprickinggood]

@@sarahhomfraycreates 😄😄

[@lulugennings6314]

hi Sarah just discovered you, what a blessing , please tell me , do you set the dye as well .xx

[@icraft4yrprotection]

❤❤😊

[@loristoneback9455]

That’s called tye dyeing only with tea and metal.❤

[@kathleenbarnett3881]

It was like Christmas watching you open those little packages. I have heard that you can use plant materials and spices. Have you tried that? I would love to see that, too. Your talent and knowledge amaze me. I am so glad I found your channels!

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

Botanical dyeing Kathleen! It's definitely on the list to do so watch this space...😁

[@elainet5870]

This is fabulous! I love your results! I’ve been wanting to do some eco-dying for some time, but didn’t have the energy or time for the boiling or chemicals! This process would be just great for use with my Journals and slow stitching! Thank-you! 😃😃😃

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

Just make some tea and throw in some fabric Elaine, easy peasy! :)

[@elainet5870]

@@sarahhomfraycreates Yes, I have tea dyed before, but not in fashion , and not with the rusty nails! Thank-you for sharing. 😃

[@dootchan]

I was just learning about this stuff the other day, as I was trying to find an inexpensive wood stain method for my handmade scroll frame (Sitting and burnishing the finish on it as I watched). One can use this method for staining wood - somewhat - using rusty nails or steel wool in vinegar to make a liquid stain. it's generally brown/rusty, but it has a chemical reaction with tannins that darkens it incredibly and turns it bluish grey. So putting on a tea or coffee stain (akin to the tea dye bath) adds more tannins and makes the stain darker. I ended up not doing this method on my frame because it's poplar which doesn't have much tannins at all and, therefore, doesn't play nicely with the iron stain. But I might do it on some fabric.

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

Sounds like you have been having fun experimenting dootchan!

[@wandagrayson646]

Interesting. I wonder if the rust will degrade the fabric. I used to do a lot of yarn dying and discovered the Wilton cake dyes (food dyes for cake icing) work perfectly. Often the colors would break apart and create really interesting color combinations. The cloth at 7:46 had a face on it. I could see the chin, mouth and eyes!

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

The rust will degrade the fabric yes. Others who've done this say you can rinse them in a salt solution and it will stop the process but I've not tried it. I'm now going to look for the face!!!

[@Tracy2272]

Just a thought, can get lovely colors out of old silk ties. can use vinegar and water to boil, add ties with the fabric rolled with the old silk ties and beautiful colors transfer onto fabric. Works nicely with white silk fabrics

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

I have never heard of that but I will be trying it for sure Jeanette thank you! I have lots of old ties in my stash...

[@Tracy2272]

There is a youtube video on it, I will try to find it and send it to you

[@Tracy2272]

Watch on youtube Susan Naylor called Using Silk Ties to Create Beautiful Scarves. Her video is very informative. Hope you enjoy it too.

[@lindaclark710]

I can't wait to try this! I've heard from other eco-dyers that rinsing 'rusted' fabric in a baking soda bath will stop the rusting process. I'm not sure what it would do to the color/patterns.

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

I quite like the idea that it will change the older it gets!

[@lindaclark710]

@@sarahhomfraycreates I think the point was to stop the rust from eating holes in the fabric, but not certain..

[@donnaferguson3352]

Hello Sarah, I'm really enjoying your videos, thank-you for sharing your knowledge. I have been doing some rust/tea dyeing and wondered if you rinse your fabrics out after you dye them? If so, does that change the colors? I've used some tea bags that dye pink and I don't want to lose that color.

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

I rinse mine but you will loose some of the colour. You could then dye them again to get a stronger colour 👍

[@taylayeomans8376]

Gorgeous samples!! To get the rusted effects, did you add anything to the tea solution like vinegar? Or did you simply place the nails in the tea alongside the fabric?

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

The tanins in the tea help the nails to rust but you can add a drop of vinegar if you want really strong effects!

[@bookwormbon482]

Really interesting, thank you! Can this be done with any fabrics?

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

See the section of the video where I talk about all the different kinds of fabric you can use Bonnie and the end show and tell to see how they came out 👍

[@mariaconti9704]

I absolutely Love these bundles. Am I correct to say that you do not neutralize the rust and tea dyed fabrics in vinegar nor baking soda? Your videos are wonderful🤩 Thank you so much! ❤️🤗

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

I didn't no Maria. I've heard about using Vinegar but it helps the metal to rust so I'm not sure how it stops it rusting afterwards! They will continue to rust but I think that's all part of it. Don't use this fabric for heirlooms!

[@mariaconti9704]

These examples are wonderful. Thank you for sharing, my question is, do you rinse these out in anything to neutralize the rust, so that it does not keep rusting the fabric?

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

I haven't done that yet (I'm quite interested to see what will happen to it!) but apparently you can rinse it with a salt/water solution and that will prevent it from rusting further...

[@janeruthraphael4644]

Beautiful! Have you seen Orly Avineri’s work with this? And no joke about rusty nails. My husband stepped on one in a chicken coop when he was 12 and got osteomyelitis even with the tetanus shot.

[@mariaconti9704]

These turned out fabulous, but I was wondering, did you rinse with backing soda and water to stop the rust from continuing to rust the fabric.?

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

I didn't no, I'm quite interested to see what they do! If I use a piece for some embroidery I may try this first

[@katherineozbirn6426]

Does the rust continue to eat the fabric? Do you rinse and how does the rust stop its chemical process?

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

Once it's rusting it will continue however much you treat it to stop (I've seen rusty spots appear on fabrics without any intervention). Embrace the process I say!!

[@solveiglysholmtorvanger8176]

What happens with the Color when you Wash the fabric?

[@MargaretJEllis]

Just like recipes online, there's an option to go directly to the recipe. Could you offer that too. Yes, I'm from NE US, some think I'm from NY!

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

Use the fast forward function

[@TheKeenanno1]

Is there a way to press flowers, maybe pansies, onto fabric which would transfer some of the color and shape?

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

I have seen people do that and it involves hammering! Something else to investigate!

[@maureengauvin1768]

It’s called FLOWER POUNDING… there are how-to books…. Was popular for a time in the craft world of the 1980’s…

[@loristoneback9455]

What would happen if happen if you were to use lemon juice only just a little bit with the nails and the tea and honey?? What kind of reaction would you get using the same teas and nails???

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

There's lots of experiments still to do Lori!

[@loristoneback9455]

@@sarahhomfraycreates OH GREAT!!! How exciting I can’t wait to watch them all on SHC!!! I learn so much from you Sarah and I love ❤️ learning!!! “You’re never to old to learn!” My Dad and my Grandmother (my dad’s mom) always taught me that saying! And it’s always stuck with me still today and I am now 60 y.o.. Sometimes my curiosity gets the better of me, but it doesn’t stop!❤️🙃🧐😁😃🥹☺️😊🤔🥴

[@MsEri20]

Hi Sarah where did you get the fabric from?

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

Various places over the years! A lot of it is just plain cotton Calico, and left over pieces from the fabric we sell in our shop

[@jennywren2395]

I believe Baking Soda will neutralise rust, so I wonder if washing soda would also?

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

I think it slows it down but once it's in the fibres I think it's going to keep on rusting. I'm quite interested to see if it does though!

[@treilly261]

I can’t understand what kind of tea was used . It looks nice and rusty looking??

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

Ordinary tea works and Redbush tea also works well

[@sandramyer7081]

What type or kind of tea?

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

All kinds! Experiment and try them...I find the redbush tea is really interesting

[@sylviethibodeau4308]

I would be too impatient to wait and see…so could you not slow dry them on very low heat with the oven?

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

Possibly yes! If you let them dry naturally though, they dry from the top down so you get the darkest bits on the edges. If you dried them evenly you might not get that...something else to try!

[@susanrascone2098]

Have you used any of these pieces?

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

I have Susana, you can see one project on my other channel here!: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2WpZppng792m80

[@number1nanaof2]

Ahhh...I think my last comment has been answered.

[@hazeluzzell]

I see a tea bag face! Try again with copper and vinegar..

[@bookwormbon482]

Please be careful with rusty nails everyone. Don't want to end up getting tetanus. Don't handle any if you have any cuts on your hands

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

Definitely Bonnie, I did mention in the video to wear gloves...

[@jolajolcia2342]

Rust does NOT cause tetanus

[@sandramyer7081]

Rust DOESNT give you tetanus.. look it up

[@Cooky_5580]

I think we all know not to run with a rusty nail with the sharp end pointing up.

[@suethompson8538]

Rust itself does not cause tetanus, but can harbour what does.

[@MargaretJEllis]

Girlfriend, love ya. Talk less.... please 🥴

[@sarahhomfraycreates]

Use the fast forward if you don't want to listen!