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Goodwill Home Décor Expert - Merri Cvetan

Merri Cvetan

My weekly column for Amazing Goodwill and my design blog, Design Coach, are about all things design, living a stylish life and entertaining (like setting a great table). I share DIY projects, decorating and design tips, as well as ideas and secrets.

If you have a specific question for Merri, feel free to email her at askmerri@goodwillsew.com.

Learn more about Merri here and follow her on Twitter and Pinterest!

 


 

How to Dye Doilies!

Posted by Jamie Klinger-Krebs on Jul 17, 2013 3:00:00 PM

003 doiliesRemember doilies? Maybe your grandmother crocheted these decorative circles for her coffee table with off-white cotton string. They became popular again when country was the big decorating style in the 1970s.

Since doilies and runners are plentiful, I decided to update them with color.

025 doliesFabric dye is available for purchase, but I wanted to try food coloring (it’s inexpensive and I already had some in my pantry). 

 

 

018 doiliesYou will need:

  • rubber gloves and old clothes
  • old pot and spoon
  • be sure to protect your counter since the dye will stain everything it touches!
  • 4 T food color per quart of water
  • 1 cup salt per gallon of water

020 doilesHeat water to boiling.

Reduce heat to low simmer; add salt and food coloring.

Submerge fabric completely.

Simmer, stirring occasionally for 20 minutes.

Rinse in warm water, then cold water until it runs clear. 

039 doiliesBe sure to use only natural fibers or crocheted items. 100% cotton works best. Synthetics will not take dye.

Allow to dry on newspaper (I set them outside on the grass). When dry, set color with a hot iron. Protect you ironing board with an old towel. Either hand wash or wash separately in the washing machine so the dye won’t ruin anything else.

037 doliesThe best part of this project is experimenting with color. Add more dye for deep, intense hues or use less for pastel shades. I set mine on an end table, but they would be cute on pillows, too.

Topics: Home Exterior Expert, Home interior, home interior expert, Merri Cvetan