tea bath to mute fabric

[cloves]

I've heard of quilters giving their quilts a "tea bath" to tone down the patterns on the fabrics. Sort of giving the quilt and aged look. You think you could do that with a tartan? Maybe to make it look more like a hunting or an ancient? Apparently you use actually use tea or sometimes even instant coffee as the dye. Hence the name.
I'm guessing any poly/viscose wouldn't hold the color at all since it's synthetic. It's prolly work on wool though....?? *pondering*

[Freelander Sporrano]

I fancy a cuppa. I don't think My handsewn 8 yard £350 tank would like it that much.
Intersting thought .....

[Cawdorian]

You're supposed to bury the kilt in a peat bog for 100 years to get that "authentic" patina. ;)

Jim

[Sherry]

There's no way to predict just how it will turn out. How attached are you to the kilt? Will you be upset if it doesn't turn out well?


Sherry

[Woodsheal]

I wouldn't do it with a completed garment like a kilt, but it would work with 100% wool fabric.
Tea will work, but if you really want success in "browning" some fabric, find a black walnut tree in your area. They are currently dropping their nuts, and black walnut hulls are an excellent natural dyestuff. Simply gather up a bagfull, put them in a big pot of water over a heat source (outside is best for this operation!), and throw in the fabric when the water is bubbling and black looking. Let the fabric "simmer" in the dyebath until it looks quite a bit darker than you want. Rinse it well in cold water until the water runs clear, and you're done....
Be advised, this is a powerful dye, and will stain your fingers and other surfaces!

[Angus]

Woodsheal aint kiddin', just pickin up these little buggers without gloves will have your hands black/brown for half a week.