DIY: Dyed Silk Ribbons

I've been burning the midnight oil getting ready for CHA. There's new products to test. Product photos to shoot. Trade show booths to layout. Make and Takes to plan. And, a catalog to design!

It's always very exciting and busy. I must apologize for not keeping up with the blog because of it all.



Today, I need some silk ribbons for one of the planned product shots. Since I was making them myself from torn silk, I thought I would post a tutorial for you all. Then, when the project can be shown, you'll all have a head start!

I'm using Rit Dye and making up my own directions! 

Not needing much, I took a couple shot glasses, filled them part way with boiling water, part way with dye (I added both orange and pink to the orange glass) and added a splash of vinegar.

Then, I folded up my ribbon and scrunched one end of the bunch into each glass leaving part out of the dye.



After a few minutes, I switched my glasses around so that I could dip the exposed portion into the opposing glass.



I let that sit for a while and then topped off the glasses with a bit more boiling water. After a few minutes of this, I gently pulled up on the silk leaving the lower portion down in the dye.



It's looking so pretty!

I let that sit again before rinsing them in cool water. I removed the excess water by wrapping them up in an old towel and squeezing. Here they are, finishing up the drying process.



I think they will be stunning on my project. I can't wait to share it with you!