Plush Making 201: How to Dye Minky (With Light Warm Grey Example)

[@Tunanunaa]

If the shininess is an issue you could always try using fabric softener to make a more matte finish. I know people do that with (cheap) synthetic wigs to make them more matte, and both wigs and minky are polyester fibres. I’m definitely not an expert in that, but there are loads of tutorials out there. For a temporary solution for pictures and stuff talcolm powder could work for a light color like this

[@makeshiftwingsplush]

This is a nice tip, thank you!

[@cheesepuffs8086]

Wow it’s like you read my mind! I was just think about dyeing minky and you posted this! So excited to watch! Always love your tutorials!

[@smolmuffin]

Was having a massive headache trying to locate a specific blue minky but did not want to spend a lot of time/money ordering samples in hopes of finding the specific shade I needed. This does seem like it would be much more difficult + expensive given I would have to purchase a new pot but if it gets me the precise color match... I might take the plunge. Just needed enough minky for paw pads (and inner ears) Would this method work for half shag fur as well? Was considering using that for inner ears.

[@makeshiftwingsplush]

Faux fur doesnt really take to dyeing well unfortunately because it affects the texture of the fabric. i think people have had some success with much shorter pile faux furs like beaver or rabbit.

[@yopi_yopi]

Amazing tip and video as always ♡

[@Strawberri_Sugar]

Would a color remover work on Minky fabric to remove the color of the fabric before dying?

[@mao_mao_ox7633]

amazing tutorial as usual, is it possible to request one about the process of pattern making?

[@makeshiftwingsplush]

Unfortunately patterning is too complicated and diverse to do a single video on it. I plan on doing more patterning videos in the future but it wont be "comprehensive" since there's really no one size fits all approach to patterning everything!

[@lumpiaeater7715]

Will rit all purpose work?

[@bqgin]

HELP ME! How permament is the dye? Won't it rub off on other materials? Can you wash it? How many washes does it last? HELP!

[@makeshiftwingsplush]

It's permanent and won't rub off as long as you wash out the excess dye like in the video. I haven't tested washing it after because you shouldn't wash handmade plushies but it should last for a long time. Maybe it will fade a bit after many washes

[@bqgin]

@@makeshiftwingsplush THANK YOU! :D Is the same true for both iDye Poly and rit dyemore?

[@makeshiftwingsplush]

Yes

[@foxythepiratefox1965]

Is it possible to turn minky lighter using bleach, or will that destroy the fabric? If not, are there other ways to lighten minky?

[@makeshiftwingsplush]

i would guess no, but i've never tried. i'd think you'd have to dilute the bleach a lot to prevent staining. rit does make a color remover product, but i think it might not work on polyesters.

[@foxythepiratefox1965]

@@makeshiftwingsplush Ok, thanks anyways! I think I'll conduct a small test to turn pink minky to white using watered-down bleach and see how it goes.

[@chuchu8625]

Quick question. I hope you can reply ASAP 🥺. So I’ve been wanting to add “blush” on the plushie I’m making and I was wondering if dying a patch on the fabric could be used as a blush for the plushie? Instead of embroidering on blush

[@makeshiftwingsplush]

I think dyeing is too complicated for blush and it'd be hard to get two even spots. You could try a fabric marker or airbrush. I've seen a lot of people who make mass produced plush use actual blush but i think you need to set it somehow, but sure how though.

[@emilyrimmey3142]

Is it possible to dye minky two different colors on one piece? For example, I want to make a plush that is red and black, but the reference I have transitions from one color to the other and doesn't have a hard line between the colors and I would like to preserve that in my final design

[@makeshiftwingsplush]

That sounds like gradient dyeing to me. There's a written tutorial i made linked in the description of this video

[@monibrown2693]

Hello makeshift! :) I was wondering if you found a way to get rid of that two toned effect on the grey/orange scrap you showed

[@makeshiftwingsplush]

hi, i didn't try to fix the sample that i dyed that had the two toned effect. i just dyed the next batch with less dye for a longer time. i'm not sure that you can remove dye. i know RIT has a color remover, but i'm not sure how well it works. and i dont know if bleach would work either.

[@mokshith77725]

hi i love your plushies i also want to start making them but can u help me by telling how you make templates? you self taught yourself right? how did u taught yourself can u tell me plz so that i can also learn... waiting for a positive response... and how do you make your own templates? i also want to make pokemons but with my own templates and any help would be appreciated...

[@makeshiftwingsplush]

It's not something than can be explained simply unfortunately. Id recommend looking up the "while she naps" blog for advice. whileshenaps.com/2011/01/elements-of-soft-toy-design.html NazFX also has various tutorials on patterning nazegoreng.gumroad.com/ I plan on making more tutorials on patterning in the future but it's too complicated of a question to answer in a comment 😅

[@mokshith77725]

@@makeshiftwingsplush ok thnx for replying :)