25 June 2010

Don't Hate Me Because I Dyed it

A SKIRT!

10 years ago I bid on a big box of trim on ebay.  There weren't any detailed photos of the individual pieces, but I saw a few that I had to have, so I put in my bid.
20 bones won me the box.
With a lot of lace in it.  It was someone's life long collection, some pieces I could tell had been removed from other projects in order to salvage, with remnants of the thread lovingly unpicked.  There are some pieces discernibly handmade.  I love to think of someone careful working with the delicate threads to create such intricate work.  I admit, I'm not really a lace kind of person, but when I was pregnant with Olive, and money was nonexistent tight, I decided to make myself a maternity skirt by sewing the widths of lace together.  I loved it and looked forward to wearing it every time I got pregnant.

So, I decided to make another one.  I envisioned a pale blue one this time and looked up ways to dye the lace naturally.  Cabbage was recommended.  But, alas, it didn't work.  It made my kitchen smell like sauerkraut, but that was it.  Beet juice was another attempt [we had beets 3 days in a row, which Azure will now eat because it was told to her by a very reliable source that eating beets makes your eyes sparkle] but it made for something WAY too pink.


[before]

I ended up using regular old RIT dye.

It was nerve wracking to put all that lace in a pot that would change it forever.  I knew that the varying contents of each piece would accept the dye differently and looked forward to the outcome, so I took the plunge.

It recommended using 1/2 the bottle.  I used 1/4.  It recommended leaving in for 30-60 minutes.  I left it in about 5 minutes and pulled it out, rinsed it and was pleased instantly with the results.  I also died the slip fabric that goes under the skirt.


It shrunk a bit in the hot bath, so it's tighter than I originally planned--thank goodness lace has some give.


This top piece of lace was hand made and stretches a lot.  I love the zig zag of it.



There were three pieces that are blatantly 100% synthetic and accepted none of the dye, but I'm really pleased with the overall affect. 



Ryan wondered if I could walk in it.  Yes.  Sitting down....I have a new appreciation for the give of lace.




66 comments:

  1. Wow...absolutely gorgeous! as is your figure! Now I want to make one! And your shoes go perfectly!

    ReplyDelete
  2. how fantastic! I love this skirt! It looks fabulous on you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love it too! Amazing, it makes me want to make one.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Everything you make is BEAUTIFUL!! I LOVE lace and have to make one now :o)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I could never hate you for anything...however I am slightly jealous of that amazing figure after five babies. The skirt is fabulous. What a treasure.

    ReplyDelete
  6. nicely done! i think the different dye tones give the skirt depth. i'd have tried to do that on purpose.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I came across your blog a few weeks ago and love your craft posts. I love it! How brave. :) You look great.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I think it turned out very nicely. Congratulations. My dye projects always tend to go horribly awry.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Gorgeous! I also like that beets make your eyes sparkle. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Just the fact that you have 5 baby dills, and can still wear that skirt even after it shrunk...I have a new appreciation for you too lol. Gorgeous. just amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  11. holy legs! You have stunning legs....especially after 5 little ones. That skirt is beautiful and looks amazing on you!! Very beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  12. O, wow! You did an amazing job!

    ReplyDelete
  13. so 1st of all NO FAIR that you look soooooo great after 5 kids....no fair at all!! BUT the skirt is beautiful and looks great on you!!! you're are sooo very talented!!!! perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  14. your skirt is AMAZING !!! & matches your shoes perfectly ! you are oh so very clever !

    ReplyDelete
  15. Katy that's beautiful! I love it! so you, so green! you have a lovely figure! no one would ever guess you already had 5 little ones! love it!

    ReplyDelete
  16. You AND your skirt are beautiful!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. That turned out perfectly! I love the subtle dye changes. Great!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Very, very cool. So when are your opening the House of Katy Couture?!

    ReplyDelete
  19. LOVE the skirt. Tell me, where are you finding all these amazing colorful shoes? Do they come from one awesome store I have never heard of, or do you have to search a little for them? I just love your style.

    ReplyDelete
  20. B-E-Autiful! I hope you wear it to take out the garbage.... no need to sit down and that skirt will make any chore look fabulous.

    ReplyDelete
  21. It's so cute! I want one.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Katy, that is one good lookin' skirt! Bravo!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I am interrupting my brief blog break to bring you this message: HOLY MOLY!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Absolutely Beautiful Katy. I'm not a huge lace fan, but I love this skirt. I love how you can see what something can become. Love you!

    ReplyDelete
  25. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I was not guessing it was a skirt! So classy and fits you perfectly!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Gorgeous as well as the model! I am in love with the color and the skirt. You are making me love green and I am such a blue and red girl!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love love LOVE it!

    It looks perfect on you and the colors are lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  29. WOW! That is truly beautiful and suits you so well!
    x Steph

    ReplyDelete
  30. I really like how the lace took the colour in diffrent intensity. It looks just great! And I hve to say I looooove the shoes. Where did you get them from?

    ReplyDelete
  31. That is just simply fantastic... and it matches your counters! LOVE!

    ReplyDelete
  32. wow. That's pretty much all I can say!

    ReplyDelete
  33. What a beautiful and creative outfit. Nice work.

    ReplyDelete
  34. You've been pregnant???? How in the world do you look so fabulous???? You look stunning in that skirt. Very cute!

    ReplyDelete
  35. That is so beautiful! And I can't get over your figure. You are a lovely mama.

    ReplyDelete
  36. So the shoes came from Banana Republic many years ago on sale for a bargain and are surprisingly comfortable. Maybe it's the lace factor again?

    ReplyDelete
  37. Wow, it is just magnifique! and you look splendid too! I am sooo jealous, now ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Wow Katy, You never cease to amaze me.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Really like your color choice. What color could be better than green anyway!! I would have never thought to put all that beautiful lace together and make a skirt--how very elegant!

    ReplyDelete
  40. I really like this! I myself have a bin of hand-me-down lace that I can't figure out what to do with--I may have to give this a shot! I think it would make an adorable little girl's dress...and yes, like the other commenters...I can't BELIEVE your figure after 5 babies!!!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Wow, Katy. I'm so impressed! I love the colors. You look fabulous in it! Sounds like a fun project!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Oh my goodness! You're so skinny for having 5 daughters! Wow! Go you! Also, I must agree with everyone else, the skirt is very pretty. I love that it's very feminine in style and material, but not overly feminine with the color. Perfect all around.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Wow, Katy - you are SMOKIN' HOT! I love peeking at your blog to see your new creations. Fabulous, simply fabulous.

    ReplyDelete
  44. The skirt is simply stunning. You are truly talented. And it looks beautiful on you! And, maybe you shouldn't let Azure in on this little secret, but she doesn't really need to eat beets because her eyes already sparkle!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Amazing!! Great work!
    Andrea @ TheTrainToCrazy.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Last night Stephanie asked me if I had seen your lace skirt. She said that it was amazing and she is correct. You are a very talented lady and we love you guys. Have fun next week with Whitney's brood. Wish I were there for all the noise.

    ReplyDelete
  47. oh man, how did I miss this one? IT's AMAZING Katy. And maybe I missed a part...that was a maternity skirt??? for your first week of pregnancy :) skinny lady

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hey Katy, Love this skirt, especially green.....have you seen this look alike? http://www.u-createcrafts.com/2010/11/lace-pencil-skirt-tutorial.html. Thought you'd be interested.

    ReplyDelete
  49. I am showing off your beautiful skirt on my blog this week- left a link so my blogging gals could find you- Hope this is ok- If not just let me know and I will take it off.

    Here's the post if you would like to see it-

    http://megardengal.blogspot.com/2011/02/discovering-beauty-this-week_25.html

    bee blessed
    mary

    ReplyDelete
  50. This is so lovely! I have been eyeing it and trying to dredge up the courage to try it myself. What did you use for the lining that it took dye? And the underskirt/lining is a separate skirt?! I am so excited for Easter--if I can figure this out!

    Again, absolutely lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  51. i LOVE that skirt beyond and would love any pointers you can give me in helping me overcome my fear in attempting one. i have a lot of lace i have accumulated. did you make the slip or buy the slip? you are an amazing person and i am so glad i found your blog!!

    hugs and more
    peggy

    ReplyDelete
  52. Love-Love-Love, thanks for posting this fantab idea...

    ReplyDelete
  53. I have looked at this skirt over and over and I AM DUMB FOUNDED. you are marvelous-my dear! This is one for the books. I am collecting lace myself to make a creation of my own. love it!

    ReplyDelete
  54. not sure if you check comments over a year later, but I saw this and thought immediately of your skirt:
    http://www.calypsostbarth.com/Novelty-Stitch-Maxi-p-18709.html

    ReplyDelete
  55. I love it!!! LOVE. You look fantastic.

    ReplyDelete

Be a lamb & tell me what's on your mind.