Tips & Tricks - Tea Dying
I wish I had the answer for the perfect tea-dye that works EVERY time, but I don't. Every stitcher I know has their own little trick and every type of tea, muslin, and oven simply do the job a little differently, so you have to experiment and find what works for you. Below is a link to a quick video demonstration that needs improvement, but we will work on that later :) It still may be helpful to watch along with the directions listed below. Happy Tea Dying!
Supplies Needed:
Instructions:
First boil one cup of water in your glass measuring cup in the microwave. Once water has come to a boil, remove carefully and add two tea bags to measuring cup. Let the tea bags seep for a few minutes until warm to the touch. Squeeze remaining liquid from tea bags and dispose. (You will need more cups of water for additional stitcheries. Always make your tea double strength, 2 tea bags for 1 cup of water. If you like a darker tea dye, add another tea bag, etc.)
Place foil on one cookie sheet and set aside. Lay your stitchery in the other cookie sheet and pour the warm tea on top. Move tea around with your hands, saturating your stitchery. Hold up to drip off excess tea and place on foil lined cookie sheet. (Make sure the foil is protecting your fabric from touching the walls of the oven on larger pieces.)
Place cookie sheet with stitchery in oven at 200* until dry, or at 350* for 5-7 minutes. I always set my timer and check my stitchery every 5 minutes until dry. You can also remove while wet and air dry as too.
Most importantly remember all ovens are different and NEVER leave your kitchen with fabric in the oven and ALWAYS set the timer. Enjoy!