Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Tutorial - Hand Dying Rayon Seam Binding

Do you want to make shabby, crinkly seam binding ribbon that looks like mine?  I'm sharing my method of how I hand dye it.

Recently I have sold rayon seam binding to a number of crafters.  I've had a few inquiries about dying and crinkling it and was asked to do a tutorial on it.  When I first started using this product, I purchased it in a variety of colors already died and crinkled.  But I found that I never seemed to have the right shade and the ones that I did have, I hoarded because I love it so much.  Then I purchased some white non-crinkled seam binding and started to custom dye it to match my project.  I love being able to do that.  Any color of ink I am working with can be carried over to the seam binding.  Here's the process I follow.

Select an ink color to use for dying the seam binding.  You can use a pad or a reinker.

Smoosh your ink pad upside down on your craft sheet several times 
to leave ink on the craft sheet.  
An alternative is to drop several drops of reinker on the craft sheet.

Add water - I mist the sheet with a Mini Mister filled with water. 
 If you don't have a mister, just drip some water on to your craft sheet.

Mix the water and ink together to make puddles of dye.  
You may want to wear rubber gloves for the next several steps.

Add a length of seam binding.

Roll and smush the seam binding around in the dye puddles,
mixing more dye and water if needed.  
You can give it as much dye or as little as you want.  
Some people like to deliberately leave white or lighter spots for a variation.

Scrunch it up real tight.

Lay it back down on your craft sheet and blow with your heat tool - just not too close.  
You don't want to melt/burn it.

Toss it around to dry it, stopping to scrunch it up periodically as it dries.  Your heat tool will relax some of the crinkles out.  Depending on how scrunched you like it, you may want to scrunch it up really tight several times during the drying process.


And you're done.  It's ready to add to your current project and it only took a few minutes.  If you don't like the way it came out, wet it and dry it again, or add more dye for different effects.

This seam binding ribbon has become one of my most favored embellishments.  It's shabbiness just makes my heart happy!  If you need crinoline or 5 yard increments of plain rayon seam binding, I have it available here in the Funkie Junkie Boutique.  

Hope this tutorial was helpful to you.  Please feel free to ask ask any questions you may have!

15 comments:

  1. Thanks Linda for this Tutorial,very well explained.
    Smiles:)

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  2. Thank you Linda, that was a fab tutorial. Will probably need some more quite soon, using it like theres no tomorrow especially for commissioned cards.
    Hugs
    Suzi x

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  3. Thank you so much for this wonderful tutorial!

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  4. YYesssssssssssssssssssss ty ty ty ty for showing us!

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  5. thank you so much Linda for this tut, so needed and i wanna get started right away,jihuuuu!
    hugs!

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  6. Great tute Linda! So nice to be able to customize your embellishments!

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  7. Thanks for the great tutorial Linda, and thanks for getting me my order of goodies. I was shocked because got it so fast! I just haven't had the chance to play with them yet, but will very soon. Thanks again for sharing your beautiful art with all of us. Hugs Linda Duke

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  8. I have always love the crinkled ribbon you use. I am thrilled to know how to custom make my own! You are the sweetest to share how to DIY!! Thank you!!

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  9. I love the scrunchness of the ribbon and the tutorial is a great help
    many thanks
    hugs

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  10. Thank you for this tutorial! I was wondering if it would work in a small plastic baggie? I saw a tutorial on how to die the ribbon with copic various refills and they used a shack baggie. I have a nice new(ish) desk and don't want to risk any ink getting on it... or on me. I'm such a klutz! LOL Again, I really appreciate the tutorial.

    BTW, I just tried your tutorial on making an apple blossom from crinoline. It's on my newest card. It's a little large since I used the largest flower on Tim Holtz's Tattered Florals but I think it turned out ok for my first try. I left it white and added a pink flower button (which has a gold center). So fun to make! I linked to this tutorial since it's so well done!

    I also found crinoline at my local JoAnn's! The first person I asked said that she was positive they didn't have it but asked someone else and they said they did carry it. It was near the best value fabric tables... far away from their other fabrics. So your other readers might be able to find the crinoline if they keep asking different JoAnn's employees and looking in the not-so-obvious places for it.

    Thanks again for your lovely tutorials!

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  11. Sorry, I meant to say that I linked to your easy apple blossom tutorial. If I get a chance to die the seam binding I'll link it to this tutorial too. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  12. I have this color, and it is too light for me to stamp with. I HAVE to try this, what a FABULOUS idea, and a use for something that just sits in my craft room.

    Hugs
    Tanya

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  13. Very cool tut Linda!! I have got to try this!! Thanks girlie! :D

    Big Hugz,
    xx Tracey xx

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  14. This is brilliant! I just found your blog and am so excited about all your ideas and your design style and look forward to being inspired by you! Thank you, Linda! You're awesome.

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  15. HI C AN YOU TELL ME IF YOU CAN DYE THE HUG SNUG TO MAKE IT VARIGATED COLORS. IF YOU CAN DOES THE HEAT SET THE COLORS FROM BLEEDING? I WANT TO MAKE A VARIGATED COLORED RIBBON TO USE AS TRIM ON DOLL HATS AND DRESSES. MY E MAIL IS sewdolly10@gmail.com THANKS mary ann finley

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