Asking for More Info on Dying Kilt Hose

[Riverkilt]

O'Neille mentioned dying white kilt hose with tea to get brown kilt hose. Didn't want to steal that thread.

Would like more info on dying white wool kilt hose. The tea idea is intriquing since my area is lousy with sage and it'd be cool to dye up some sage colored kilt hose.

I have way more pairs of white kilt hose than I need, bought early on in my kilt addiction before I "got it."

Most curious about how to keep the newly dyed colors from fading - both onto my leg if I sweat, and when being hand washed.

Thanks for any help.

Ron

[Woodsheal]

American black walnut hulls will yield a very nice brown, but I don't imagine you have alot of walnut trees there!

And, colors derived from natural dyes will generally fade over time, from exposure to sunlight, and laundering. They're not as "fast" as modern chemical dyes, which you can get at your drugstore, and work great. Look for "Rit" brand dyes - very easy to use right in your washing machine....

[cavscout]

I've heard of people using white vinegar to set the dye. Here's a web site that outlines it pretty weel

http://www.amherst-antiques-folkart....ooking_Dye.htm

[neo71665]

Chewing tabacco lends a rich dark brown. I can get black walnut shells if the price is right

[O'Neille]

Tea is a little different. It actually gets a little darker before it starts to fade. Think green tea...if you leave it out overnight you have tea colored tea the next day. Just remember not to put your hose in boiling hot tea. Let it cool until it is very warm, not hot. I've never had a problem with it coming out. I just soak them and let them dry.

Here is a great site for natural dyes http://www.pioneerthinking.com/naturaldyes.html

[Wompet]

Cavscout & O'Neille,
Thanks for the links. I've been planning on doing some fabric dying prior to making the next kilt, and those sites will help with some of the details.