Dyeing Hawaiian Fabric

Whenever we travel to Kona on The Big Island we have to stop at Kimura’s Fabrics. Here is a post I wrote several years ago about this interesting shop.

You can buy about any type of fabric here from Hawaiian prints to lace and silk. On this trip I wanted to find some silk to dye.

I bought some vintage silk – 30 years old and on sale – and another couple yards of silk/ cotton blend.

I also purchased two interesting white-on-white fabrics. One was 65% poly/ 35% cotton and the other was 100% cotton. The poly/cotton fabric was so beautiful. Even though I was concerned it wouldn’t dye well with the fiber reactive dyes due to the poly, I just had to get a couple yards of it. I was also concerned about the 100% cotton fabric thinking that when I dyed it the pattern would be gone. I’ve had that happen with vintage napkins. If the design is in cotton, all I get is a colored napkin.

Was I ever surprised when I did a test. OMG! How exciting! The patterns just popped out.

But wait, I need to let them batch and then wash then first. Here are the final results.

The first is the poly/cotton; second is the 100% cotton; and the third is another piece of poly/cotton I purchased at Fabric and Quilting Delights in Kona. I had no idea they would be so lovely. Since the two only have 35% cotton they will come out more muted, but that will be fine. I know the cotton one can be darker if I add more dye.

Now I am really looking forward to dyeing these. I’m thinking I’ll make some place mats with the poly/cotton. They also would make good journal covers or even bags.  Or I could think about dyeing them with the dye that dyes poly and have them two toned. Lots to think about.

It felt good to do a little dyeing yesterday since it seems like it’s been so long. One more Hawaii post and I’ll move on. The next one is the highlight of the trip. Such a neat experience. Hope to see you next time.