As you can see, the color is a little bit ...meh, but the fabric says it's 100% cotton (I'm assuming that excludes the shiny, matching greyish lining), so I was thinking I might try to dye it. I've got a couple of packs of Kelly Green RIT dye that I'd bought with the idea that I'd dye a length of white (probably synthetic, not receptive to dye) lace I've had laying around and try to make some kind of blouse out of it. Sound weird? Well, it looks great in my head.
When I showed Tom the newly thrifted dress and held up the box of dye next to it, he was like, "Green...??," which got me thinking, maybe this is another idea that only sounds good in my head. I have no idea if 1) the lining that peeks through all of the little holes in the eyelet will take dye at all, and if it does, how much; and 2) if the silky (rayon?) thread used in the embroidery of the eyelet detail on the fabric will take any dye either. This means my results could be crappy. I'm thinking maybe a more subtle color might be better...but what?
Duke is by my side for support, but doesn't have much advice to share.
Also this weekend, I've been trying to do a little mending that's been waiting in the mending pile for far too long. More of Tom's shirts that need taken in with some darts (copied from the job the tailor did on another of his shirts recently).
I was initially surprised when I saw the tailor had made two long darts down the back of the shirt he'd asked be adjusted so the fit was more...fitted, but it seems to be the best/easiest way to take care of it. Taking the shirt in at the sides might sound simpler but would probably actually be more annoying than darts, I'd think, due to the fancy (flat-felled?) seams there.
Anyway, I'm working on those shirts. Mending, blerg.
Another update: remember that holiday gift-making sewing I'd mentioned briefly before? Well, now I'm starting to think I might end up waiting on that. I'm actually feeling rather un-motivated to sew lately. So those holiday gifts might end up being belated... or just random late-winter (think...January/February) "just because" gifts. We'll see.
I say go for green - the glory of thrifting stuff is that if it doesn't work out, you haven't lost a fortune! Might as well take a risk and have fun with it. You can always dye a blue on top of the green or something if you have to! ;)
ReplyDeleteThat's what I was thinking, but I'm still feeling hesitant!
DeleteLove that dress! I've been wanting to make a similar one for ages! I think I would try a dark grey, that way if the lining or thread doesn't take dye the colors will still work together.
ReplyDeleteI know! I've been eyeing this type of dress for a while and always vaguely planned to make one, but now I don't have to! haha. I like the idea of a Dark Grey, hmm...
DeleteI like Mika's suggestion of dark grey, or something like a midnight blue or a black would be pretty! But, Gillian's right, too-- what's the worst that could happen?!
ReplyDeleteAahhh - decisions, decisions!
DeleteI love kelly green, and it might look nice if the lining and cotton aren't exactly the same hue. If it doesn't, you can use some Rit dye remover and try something else, like navy.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I've never dyed anything and had no idea there was a such thing as RIT dye remover! I'll need to pick some of that up just in case.
DeleteOh I love eyelet, it's lovely! And your cat is adorable! :D
ReplyDeleteVery good idea to copy the tailor also!
I love eyelet too - I hope I can make it work!
DeleteGorgeous dress, and dying will be fun! I'd worry about the thread not taking it too....who knows until you try it? !
ReplyDeleteThe dress...oooh! I noticed the same alteration technique on Schmidt's shirts on the New Girl- so it must be the most stylish way, right?
ReplyDeletehahaha, I love Schmidt. I'll have to pass that on to Tom. I'm sure he'll feel pretty cool. :)
DeleteThe dress is beautiful!! I'd try a pale blue - or a darker blue. You're probably right that the thread and the lining won't take the dye so I'd pick something that would use the contrast as an "effect". And I agree with the others, the best thing about thrifting is trying stuff out - so why not just go for it?
ReplyDeleteWow that dress is great! I love green and think it would look great green. I guess if the green didn't take you could go over it with another color?? I don't have any dying experience. Whatever you decide to do if it doesn't turn out the way you expected at least your not out a boatload of money.
ReplyDeleteSue, is there any extra fabric on the inside you could try to test dye first? Try the inside seams perhaps with dye on a Q-tip? Also how about lavender mixed with the gray for a dusty lavender shade. That could be really pretty. Sorta similar to the color of the top you wore to the meetup.
ReplyDeleteIf it still doesn't work and is pale enough, you could then try the deep green, maybe a blue-green in fact?
Super great idea using darts to alter the shirt instead of picking apart the flat felled seams - you'll have to let us know how it goes! :)
ReplyDelete