Upcycled Eggplant Sweater

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Sweater (with less than 35% polyester or other synthetic content)
• Rit All-Purpose Liquid Dye, Eggplant (or your favorite color(s))
• Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative
• 4 Gallon Bucket or Container
• Tongs
• Salt
• Liquid Dish Detergent
• Measuring Cup
• Rubber Gloves
• Plastic Table Cover
• Paper Towels

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cover work area with plastic table cover and have paper towels handy to protect against any possible spills.
2. Pre-wash item in warm, soapy water to remove any fabric that may interfere with dye absorption.
3. Fill a plastic container with enough water for the fabric to move freely. We recommend using three gallons of water for every pound of fabric. The water should ideally be 140F. If tap water is not hot enough, heat water on the stove or in microwave and add to the dyebath.
4. To enhance the color: add one cup of salt when dyeing fabrics containing cotton, rayon, ramie or linen.
5. Add 1 teaspoon of liquid dish detergent to help promote level dyeing.
6. Pour 1/2 bottle of well-shaken Eggplant liquid dye into dyebath and mix well.
7. Test color by dipping a paper towel into the dyebath. If color is too light, add more dye. If color is too dark, add more water.
8. Wet the sweater and add it to the dyebath.
9. Stir slowly and continuously. The first 10 minutes are the most critical. Stirring helps to ensure an even color with no splotches.
10. Item can remain in dyebath from 10 minutes up to one hour.
11. When desired color is achieved, remove from dyebath. Fabric will look darker when wet and will dry lighter. Squeeze out excess dye.
12. To enhance the color and reduce color bleeding, use Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative immediately after dyeing and before washing, follow package instructions.
13. Rinse in cool water until rinse water begins to run clear.
14. Wash in warm water with a mild detergent, rinse and dry.