Tara Miller Designs

Touching up an old friend

I purchased this good old blanket many years ago at a Home Good store and it has been through many a movie, sickness, quick runs out to get the paper and even a few diaper changes. I love this blanket since it is the perfect size. But it was starting to show it's age so I decided some TLC in the form of bias tape would do some wonders since the wear was concetrated on the edges. I opt for a red and white polka dot in 2 in. bias tape and within 30 minutes there was new life! keep your eyes open of oldies but goodies at your local thift stores and suit them up for yourself or a local charity!

Dyeing Fabric with Tea

 

During nap today, I dyed some muslin with tea. It was the least messy fabric dyeing I have ever dealt with and it smelled wonderful! I based it on some instructions I googled but in the end I eyeballed it all since I didn't have tea bags and I was working with 2 + yds of lightweight muslin. Teac dying will give your fabric an aged, vintage, antique look. I am planning on using the dyed fabric to make cafe curtains with a Greek Key trim as seen in Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts (love this book!)

I started by filling my sink with roughly a gallon of hot water and to that I added 9 tbsps of loose leaf tea (Mine of Ceylon Cherry which I hoped would add a bit of red but no dice). I then waited 5-7 min for the water to darken. I added the fabric to the tea and carfeully swished my fabric around until it was wet through. I let it soak for 30 min and then came back and swish and stired some more. I left the fabric for the rest of the afternoon until it was a good dark, antique color and then drained the water. I rinsed the tea leaves off a little and placed the wet fabric in the dryer (you can hang it outside as well) to dry.  As I type my fabric is still drying and I want to wait for the light of day to see the finished resulting color. Can't wait!