Dying colored wool?

[Magelet]

Hey, so I'm needing some thick wool for some upcoming projects, and I'm thinking that army blankets would be the best cheapest way to go for buying fabric. But that color! ugggg. Do you think I could over-dye it to a pretty color? Or bleach (I know, bad mama) or sun fade (maybe with some lemon juice or peroxide to help it along) it to a pale enough color that I could easily dye over it? tia

[Think of Winter]

Originally Posted by Magelet

Hey, so I'm needing some thick wool for some upcoming projects, and I'm thinking that army blankets would be the best cheapest way to go for buying fabric. But that color! ugggg. Do you think I could over-dye it to a pretty color? Or bleach (I know, bad mama) or sun fade (maybe with some lemon juice or peroxide to help it along) it to a pale enough color that I could easily dye over it? tia

I don't think I'd try to remove the color first. I think you'll likely damage the fibers and end up with holes down the road. Definitely do not bleach it. Bleach will destroy the fibers. (Bleach is one way to see if a fabric is wool. If it dissolves, then it is. )

You could over dye it. I've seen a color chart for kool aid dyed natural wool, and the colors were very nice. But an army blanket is probably darker than natural, so you'd only get darker colors.

Whatcha making?

[Magelet]

I want to make a cloak or two, (or more, I totally love them lol. I got some really expensive loose woven blue/grey wool fabric to make one, but its more.... fashiony. I want to make something really durable too. for hiking, etc.) Dark is ok, I'd be fine with a brownish, or even greenish brown, or almost black color (even a darker, more forest green green would be ok) My ideal color would be grey, but the fact of the matter is, most wool is too expensive for me most of the time. and a patchwork quilt from felted sweaters would look weird lol. I haven't seen the army blankets, they might be too heavy, but I was thinking if they weren't that they would work well. Just the color isn't cool. Well maybe I'll get one and try dying it and see how it works. It probably isnt' that different than dyeing naturally dark grey wool, in terms of not pure colors, right?

[Think of Winter]

I'd probably go darker in the same hue. If you start with drab, you could go for a dark green, beige I'd go to chocolate, lt. grey to dk grey.

I think the hard part will be to get a uniform color. I've been dyeing silks and yarn for a while, and it's not easy. Your best bet might be to start with a color you like, and maybe embellish it.

This one is a pretty grey.

[Magelet]

ooohh thats pretty. maybe I'll have to try to find some in a different color then, one that I like. I've never really dyed before, it might be easier. Though as long as the color is similar throughout, i'm ok if its not perfectly uniform. I like things that look a little handmade.