I’ve used various tea to obtain some color. Specifically, for a total of ten bags i’ve used: 4 black tea, 3 bags of cinnamon/orange, one bag of English breakfast and two bags of mint/lime were put in the boiling water. Those bags were first infused (since it would be a crime not to drink some really good tea) and then placed to dry a couple of days prior the dyeing process.
I’ve tried on some 72 white Aïda (that equals to 18ct fabric).
First I put on the stove a pot containing simple water to boil. After that I’ve put in some salt, stirred, turned off the stove and then added the tea bags in the pot. *The salt will make the dye color-fast and it will not run in the future. I’ve let the tea bags simmer for 10 minutes then I’ve take them off.
In the meantime I’ve washed the fabric and rinsed it well from all the starch.
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When the 10 minutes passed I’ve put the still damp fabric in the tea and let it simmer about 25 minutes. *I’ve controlled the time. After the first 15 minutes I’ve checked the fabric and then added another 10 minutes. I wanted the fabric to be completely uniform in color, so it needed to be fully under the dye water.
When the time’s up, I washed the fabric with a generous amount of vinegar (just to be sure the color won’t bleed) and then run it under some water.
Just before washing there was some tea residue but it didn’t ruin the fabric nor bleed a darker shade of color.
I’ve let it dry outside and this is the final result rven though the photo is a bit darker than the original colour…
I'm quite happy with how the little piece of fabric turned out.
Now, I only need to find a small design and put in good use the fabric. 🤔 Do you have some ideas or suggestion in what to cross stitch on there?
I wish you many happy hours of stitching!
See you soon,
