Ever dye wool tartan

**Derekc5555** · 11th December 16, 03:26 AM

Was curious if anyone has experimented with dying kilts? I want a belted plaid that is not so bright but rather blends in with its surroundings like they made them in the 18th century and earlier. I could always buy the weathered tartans but those can get rather pricey, so I thought maybe i could dye it or stain a cheaper tartan to get the same look. I'm thinking either Wallace, Fraser red, or Macgregor. any input is appreciated. thanks.

**figheadair** · 11th December 16, 06:15 AM

The idea that 18th century tartan was always dull is a fallacy. Those that could afford it would generally opt for the best and brightest shades.

With regard to your question, I think you mean/should be referring to, staining tartan rather than dyeing it. The former will tone down a pattern, the latter will alter it and depending on the colour and weight of dyestuff, obscure the design.

If you want to dull down a red based tartan you could steep the cloth in a bath of weak tea or coffe and that should dow the trick. Worth trying with a similar swatch before going the whole hog.

**Luke MacGillie** · 11th December 16, 07:22 AM

Derekc

Please check out figheadair's various write ups analyzing original documented 18th Century tartans.

http://www.scottishtartans.co.uk/research.htm

The documentation is much different than the pop history that has colored :-) many peoples perceptions

**KD Burke** · 11th December 16, 10:14 AM

I've done it. A couple years back, I started a thread titled "An Interesting Experiment" in which I posted a photo of the result.

**Derekc5555** · 11th December 16, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by KD Burke

I've done it. A couple years back, I started a thread titled "An Interesting Experiment" in which I posted a photo of the result.

Looked at that thread, and it's very interesting. But the idea of putting wool in a wash machine hurts my soul.

**KD Burke** · 12th December 16, 07:51 AM

Originally Posted by Derekc5555

Looked at that thread, and it's very interesting. But the idea of putting wool in a wash machine hurts my soul.

As my dad was fond of saying "Do not as I do. Do as I SAY do."

I don't advocate machine washing tartan. I only did it because the fabric was unsuited to the task I had commissioned it for and I thought it might work as a boiled wool blanket.

I was right. It still is a very comfortable and wind-proof plaid, suitable for use as a picnic blanket, stadium blanket, whatever.

**Pleater** · 12th December 16, 05:18 PM

Ah - difficult - most of the dyeing and staining I have done has been on cotton fabric rather than woollen.
I've dyed lots of yarn, but that is a bit different as it is far easier to work on previously undyed yarn than many yards of already coloured fabric.

Do you have something you could experiment on?
It always helps to work up to something in steps.

Anne the Pleater

**Derekc5555** · 12th December 16, 05:29 PM

I was gonna cut off about a foot of the tartan to experiment with to see how the fabric reacts to each technique.

**Derekc5555** · 11th December 16, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by figheadair

The idea that 18th century tartan was always dull is a fallacy. Those that could afford it would generally opt for the best and brightest shades.

With regard to your question, I think you mean/should be referring to, staining tartan rather than dyeing it. The former will tone down a pattern, the latter will alter it and depending on the colour and weight of dyestuff, obscure the design.

If you want to dull down a red based tartan you could steep the cloth in a bath of weak tea or coffe and that should dow the trick. Worth trying with a similar swatch before going the whole hog.

It's true that there were those who could afford bright colors and those people wanted to stand out, but most people were very poor and (don't quote me on this) often use their tartan as camouflage while hunting so they would choose more earthy browns,tans, and grays. Of course this is just what I've heard, I could be completely wrong.

I was thinking dye would work better for what I'm looking for cuz I want the red a more brownish color. Plus I tried coffee on a tartan swatch but it didn't take.

**Derekc5555** · 12th December 16, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by figheadair

If you want to dull down a red based tartan you could steep the cloth in a bath of weak tea or coffe and that should dow the trick. Worth trying with a similar swatch before going the whole hog.

How long do you think I should let it soak in the coffee/tea? A few hours? days? Weeks? Also would a diluted brown dye also work?