Dyeing a Wool Soaker - Picture Tutorial

[jausten]

I bit the bullet and decided to dye my Babyology soaker.

Before -- boring old cream.


I started with a large pot, UNSWEETENED Koolaid in Berry Blue, white vinegar, and Dawn.


I soaked the soaker in warm water and Dawn to strip the lanolin out. Then, I put some water in the pot, added a glug of vinegar and 4 packets of Berry Blue Koolaid and stirred until it was all dissolved.

Then, I put the soaker in the water, making sure that it was completely covered.


I put it on the stove over medium heat (5-6) and let it get really hot - steaming, but NOT boiling!


I would poke it down every once in a while to make sure it stayed covered with water and dye - but this also helped me see if the water was getting clearer.


After about 10-12 minutes, the water was clear, so I took the pot off the burner and put it aside to let it cool down to room temperature. Even though you reeeeeally want to, do not touch the cover!!


When the water had cooled down to room temp, I took the cover out and rinsed it in room temp water until it ran clear. Remember, your dye water should be clear when you're done.


Then I rolled it in a towel (use an old one just in case!)


And after drying overnight on a drying rack, here's the result!




A gorgeous, colorful soaker!

[Granolamomma]

That is awesome!! I have never seen a tut w/ koolaid! Can that method be used for prefolds too? Or will it fade from the frequent washes??

Awesome job!!

[raelynn]

Originally Posted by Granolamomma That is awesome!! I have never seen a tut w/ koolaid! Can that method be used for prefolds too? Or will it fade from the frequent washes?? Awesome job!!

It won't be quite the same for prefolds since Koolaid only works for animal fibers, not plant fibers.

This is a great tutorial! I do mine in the microwave instead of the stove, pretty much exactly the same way. I can't find that kind of koolaid up here, which stinks cause that's such a gorgeous blue!

[jausten]

Originally Posted by Granolamomma That is awesome!! I have never seen a tut w/ koolaid! Can that method be used for prefolds too? Or will it fade from the frequent washes?? Awesome job!!

No, it won't work on prefolds, but you can dye them with Dylon. I've got an order of prefolds coming soon, and I can't wait to do those!

Originally Posted by raelynn It won't be quite the same for prefolds since Koolaid only works for animal fibers, not plant fibers. This is a great tutorial! I do mine in the microwave instead of the stove, pretty much exactly the same way. I can't find that kind of koolaid up here, which stinks cause that's such a gorgeous blue!

Our microwave is kind of moody sometimes. I had to go to three different grocery stores to find that blue! Bi-Lo had the most selection - Publix only had 3 kinds.

[harleysheart]

Wow...mama thanks for showing up step by step. I just may have to try that now. I would have never done it with out pictures and such great directions.

[jausten]

Originally Posted by harleysheart Wow...mama thanks for showing up step by step. I just may have to try that now. I would have never done it with out pictures and such great directions.

I am NOT a crafty person, so if I can do it, anyone can!! I'm glad they were helpful. LMK if you have any questions!

[jausten]

If you're interested, I also did a picture tutorial of washing and lanolizing this piece of wool and put it in the wool care thread.

http://www.diaperswappers.com/forum/...2&postcount=30

FWIW, I didn't have any color come off of my newly dyed soaker!

[SAHMLamar]

That's a great tutorial. It looks wonderful! Great job.

[jausten]

Thanks for all the positive comments, everyone!

After finally drying (doesn't wool take forever and a day to dry!?!), I put her in it tonight for the first time.





I'll report back if there's blue all over her sheets in the morning.

[Khourtniey]

Looks great mama.