How to Tea Dye Fabric and More!

[@jmatoske]

Black tea works great for dying bras and panties. I like to dye them from their store default color of “nude” to match my somewhat darker skin tone. That way they do not show through light colored clothing.

[@April_99999]

Does the color stay ? Can I dye towels ?

[@marsneedsbunnies]

Thank you so much for this! I'm dyeing cross stitch fabric. I never thought of using different types of teas for different colours. Brilliant!

[@FloridaSunshine]

Simplest explanation ever. Thank you for such a great video.

[@emma.sakowicz]

can't wait to dye some old tees!! might use a pomegranate tea or something for a bit more color :)

[@Chatterboxquilts]

Good luck with your tea dyeing. I would love to hear how it works out.

[@coremanda3222]

“You’ve got your tea and you’re ready to start dying”

[@Chatterboxquilts]

I hadn't thought of how that would come across ;) I guess I'm thinking in my mind "dyeing" rather than "dying".

[@catalinacabrera8741]

@@Chatterboxquilts we know. it's ok

[@Squibbity472]

Thanks for this video!!! I have tons of "old" tea that has lost its flavor i found hiding in a cabinet. probably still good to drink, but i have SO MUCH! doesnt hurt to use it for other means. 😁 will be doing this soon! i have a need for a nice brown fabric. i also have butterfly pea tea. and tons of pretty red color teas. they may or may not work. but its gonna be fun to test it!

[@LeAndrasPlace]

Thank you 😊❤

[@Olga-ql2zp]

Thank you Kim, the video was helpful.

[@Chatterboxquilts]

You are so welcome!

[@Top2tow]

Great explanation. Many thanks.

[@AngelReneeToday]

what a great idea I will buy some Muslin to use this method. and maybe make some potholders.

[@Chatterboxquilts]

+MuyChingonlol Glad this gives you an idea for new projects.

[@aryastark3148]

Thank you for this clear, no-frills (hah! get it? :p) tutorial. I'm wondering if adding salt to a separate container of water with the linens in it before transferring them in the tea water helps to make it more permanent? I heard this but am not sure. Thanks!

[@Chatterboxquilts]

I haven't tried that, Arya, but I have read about people using salt or vinegar to set dies, usually after the item has been dyed. Might be something to try to see if it makes a difference.

[@sew.with.annastasia]

Is there a difference with tea stains and coffee stains on lace? (Colour wise?). Thank you. Very helpful

[@michaelsimmons9296]

Thank you for your video.

[@Chatterboxquilts]

You're welcome, Michael!

[@reginaeiland9358]

Hi. I have an estate vintage crochet bed set I'm keeping my eye on. As these are larger items, do you suggest using my kitchen sink? Also, to an average sink, around how many tea bags do you suggest? They are advertised as white, this set has 4 shams and I want a rather mixed look of white so some will stay that way. But at least the Shams I want to have a creamy Ivory antique look to them. So again what tea to get that look, and around how much please and thanks so much. U enjoyed watching this

[@Chatterboxquilts]

Yes, I would use the kitchen or utility sink. It's hard to advise as to how many tea bags to use as it depends on how dark you want the fabric to be. I would think that if you had a regular size kitchen sink and fill it at least half to 3/4 full of hot water, you would probably want to use 8 to 10 tea bags and let them soak for 30 minutes. Just an educated guess, but this would probably be dark enough for you. I would just use regular black tea bags (Tetley, Red Rose, etc.). Good luck!

[@samanthaayres661]

Hi I was wondering if you can use the tea dying method to dye a stuffed toy that is white to brown

[@Chatterboxquilts]

Hi : You can use this method to dye natural fibres, so if the stuffed toy is made of cotton, linen, wool, etc. you should be able to tea dye it. It's a good idea to try a small part of the toy first to see if it works. If you dye the whole toy, it will take a looong time to air dry. Just FYI ;)

[@debc8402]

great idea! But if put on a quilt or something that is washed will the coulor wash out?

[@Chatterboxquilts]

+Deb C The colour may come out with the first wash, but you can set the colour by immersing the tea dyed fabric in a mixture of vinegar, salt and water before using it in the quilt. You can either add vinegar and salt to the tea liquid or rinse out the fabric and then soak it in water with vinegar and salt added to it. After the fabric has dried, you should press it with a hot iron and this helps to set the colour into the fabric. You don't need a large amount of vinegar - maybe ½ cup for a large bucket of water and a tsp. or two of salt. Hope this helps :)

[@devinspears3004]

Please help do you think I could die a suit jacket from white to ivory?

[@Chatterboxquilts]

Hi Devin: I'm not sure that this would be the best method for dyeing a suit jacket for a number of reasons. Tea dyeing isn't truly permanent - it will start to fade/wash out each time you wash or clean the jacket. Also, tea or coffee dyeing works best on 100% cotton fabric, which is probably not the fabric content in the suit jacket.

[@devinspears3004]

Thank you 😭😢

[@maryhoman6218]

? Can these be washed after using for a while

[@Chatterboxquilts]

Yes, however the fabric might get lighter in colour.

[@jazmingonzalezsilva5814]

Is that permanent in the time with the washes?

[@Chatterboxquilts]

It may wash out a bit in the wash over time.

[@The123zoe456]

Guessing this would work with fluffy socks and mittens ?

[@Chatterboxquilts]

I think that coffee or tea dyeing works best with natural fibres, so if this is what the socks and mittens are made of (cotton, wool, etc.), it should work just fine.

[@rodentary]

Does the “dye” wash out? Do i need to set it?

[@Chatterboxquilts]

You could set it with salt or vinegar. It does tend to fade a bit over time - but you can always re-dye if you need to.