So, this is the little dyeing experiment I was referring to; I finished it last night and just couldn’t wait to wear it today!
My new skirt!
I made the skirt using Vogue 1247, of bright lipstick-red cotton velveteen from Spotlight. I lengthened the lower skirt pieces of the pattern by …er, lots… 😀 and made a separate full lining of rusty red polyacetate from Fabulous Fabrics, by splicing the upper and lower skirt pattern pieces together.
The waistband is made less bulky, by joining a long strip of the interfaced fashion fabric, cotton velveteen, to a long strip of lightweight cotton for the waistband facing. I used Rowan shot cotton in Ginger, a small piece of the leftovers from the shirt I made for my Dad here.
After construction of the skirt was complete, I dip dyed it from the top in a dye bath of 1/4 tsp iDye Brown. I did not take any pictures of the dyeing process this time, but this is what I did; I stood holding the hem of the skirt and dipped it up and down slowly and consistently in the boiling dye bath, sometimes dipping deeply, sometimes shallowly, different depths each time, constantly checking to see how the ombre was taking effect; for as long as my arms could take it. In this case, approximately 25 mins before my muscles were screaming “OMG; STOOOOP!” Then I took it over to the laundry trough for a thorough rinsing. I laid the skirt flat on a towel and gently pulled it into shape to dry completely overnight.
I am completely and utterly thrilled with how it turned out!
To my mind, the colour transformation of that deep purple-y rustiness in the top section fading to a rich ruby crimson lends the skirt a classiness that it did not have as a plain lipstick-red skirt.
below; the front view of the skirt, before dyeing. Not so interesting…? compare this to the above photo; the back view of the skirt after dyeing. Much more interesting, yes 🙂
I chose to dip-dye the skirt upside down because I wanted to have the darker section at the waistline fading down to the lighter shade. I know this is the opposite to most dip-dyeing seen around about but I really like it like this. I think it is a more slimming effect than if the waist band was bright red deepening down in colour to a darker hemline.
If you’re interested in dip dyeing, I once did a rough kind of tutorial here, which is a good method for if you don’t think your arms have the stamina for 25 minutes of dipping. And I wouldn’t blame you one bit, my arms are aching something awful today! A sopping wet lined velveteen skirt is hea-e-evy!
Details:
Skirt; Vogue 1247, red cotton velveteen dip-dyed in 1/2 tsp iDye in Brown (my review of this skirt pattern here)
Tshirt; self-drafted, white cotton dyed with iDye in both Red and Brown, details here
Scarf; basically a very long piece of raspberry knit jersey, seen first here
Cardigan; knitted by me, Jo Sharp’s Knitted Cardigan with the addition of knitted lace edging on the sleeve hems, using Jo Sharp Soho Summer DK Cotton in Sapote (col 216), details here
Shoes; Betts & Betts Brazilian Collection (seriously; these are older than my children!)
Pockets, in action. Gotta love that…
Picture taken around 12.30pm; Temperature at the time 21C.
Overnight low: 14C; Today’s high: 21C
Had a rainy storm overnight, but has been fine all day
Today is another me-made bonus day! my husband is again wearing a shirt that I made for him! and btw, I promise that I am not putting in any requests that my family wears my stuff this month. They probably wouldn’t pay attention even if I did 🙂 The “bonus days” I am showing here are actually normal for my family; and their clothes are, as they always are, being spontaneously chosen by them to wear. I am just including them here for fun
Craig’s shirt; Burda 7767 modified, blue linen, details here
It's a fabulous effect and I agree that it makes the skirt look more classy – not that you ever look any other way 🙂 Looks like it must have started to cool down over there.
Love your skirt. I hope you think imitation is the sincerest form of flattery as I would love to try this!
I love the whole outfit! The dyeing effect on the skirt is super cool. I think the colors you chose on your outfit are enhancing its prettiness each other. Beautiful!
Very cool! Very impressive! The colours in your photos are gorgeous.
OMG! That is GORGEOUS!
The effect is perfect! Lucky you have strong arms 😉
Your skirt looks like the really expensive, ombered designer gear.
Your skirt is gorgeous! It goes so well with the rest of the outfit and the sun in your hair makes it look straight out of a magazine!! I've been thinking of dip dyeing for a while but I never would have thought of this combination of colours. Stunning 🙂
Gorgeous skirt and an amazing before and after for that skirt.
Beautiful colors on the skirt and the outfit. So pretty with the dark trees and leaves. I'm thinking now that I will have to try dying.
Your wardrobe is just so fabulous!
How awesome is the effect of dip-dying on your skirt. The colour is so perfect for Autumn/Winter. You've really given me the courage to try dying some of my own garments to achieve the colours I desire.
How pretty is your skirt. Love the colors/dye you did. I also really like the pockets.
I love this skirt pattern – been meaning to make it for a while but the dip dye takes it to a whole other amazing level.
Truly amazing when you look at the skirt before and after the dye-ing process. It's pretty originally, but the after picture is amazing!
Fabulous! I've had an ombre dying project in waiting for two years. I think it's safe to say that *that* project will not happen, but one day!!
Beautiful!
The skirt looks great. Terrific dye job!
I sometimes consider (dip)dyeing but usually, I don't risk it. And I completely agree with you about prefering the lighter shade at the bottom of the garment. In fact, I've considered dip-decolouring for a summer skirt (Dylon makes a de-colouring 'dye' which is meant to pre-treat coloured garments for dyeing, but it works fine on its own).
LOL, Gideon is nearly always in something mama made, as slim hipped and waisted little boy pretty much can't wear ready made pants or shorts (though he finally does have two pairs of jeans he can wear that are RTW). Most of his dress shirts are made by me too as then he gets a great fit …
I love the ombre effect on this skirt. So lovely! You always have such a unique twist to each of your clothing items. Love it!
Fantastic! I love it.
What a different the dip dying makes! The mail arrived today with the two Rachel Comey patterns I ordered. I hope my versions turn out as nice as yours! I am worried though… you said you lengthened the skirt a lot? and is still short! I´m so bad at alterations I´m worried the skirt won´t cover my bum!
What a fantastic make! The dye job looks beautiful.
You have the best ideas. This is a lovely outfit, but the skirt takes the cake.
Amazing!!! The ombre effect is so rich and intriguing, making the skirt look so incredibly expensive, and I love how you've styled it.
That skirt is amazing–it looks so rich! I love your dyeing experiments!
Your new ombre skirt is great – I love the rich , vibrant , warm autumny colours . is this the project you thought we would all hate ?? Because I love it.
what a great idea to reverse the usual order of the dip-dying. I don't really think you need the slimming effect…but it is indeed slimming!
what a great idea to reverse the usual order of the dip-dying. I don't really think you need the slimming effect…but it is indeed slimming!
You do have the best ideas. The colours run in the 'right order' to make this outfit really couture. And it is couture because the colouring is all hand done. Congrats!
The colours on the skirt are jsut gorgeous, and you're right, its so much more interesting dyed!
What a beautiful skirt. Cotton velveteen is such a pretty fabric anyway, but this dip dyeing sure made it extra special.
Brilliant!! Want one for myself,now to pin it so I remember – lol
So elegant .. Beautiful effects
I love how you ombre dyed the skirt! You just keep taking this skirt to higher and higher limits.
Wow. That skirt is just stunning!!!! I love it. You're lucky you live so far away from me, because if you were closer I would so come and steal that skirt. 😉
I'm a fan of your work but this skirt is simply gorgeous ! I love it !
I admire the fact you kept going with the dyeing for 25 minutes, my arms would have give up after 10! People like you are a real inspiration to me. Making your own clothes can seem daunting at first (and a little complicated when your a beginner like me) but I see the wonderful things you make and it makes me keep going with it!
You come up with the coolest ideas. The skirt looks great with the colour gradient, indeed much more interesting! Also, 25 min of dip-dyeing by hand, you (and your arm muscles) have my deepest respect!
You are just amazing! This skirt is beautiful.
Those front pockets are brilliant! And your dye worked brilliantly