I’ve been kind of obsessed with playing with rope. This time it’s making colorful rope coasters.
To get the beautiful colors I dyed my rope with just three fiber reactive dyes: Cerulean Blue, Fuchsia, and Golden Yellow. (If you are not interested in using these dyes, the rope could be dyed with Tulip or other dyes you can find at local craft stores.)
I love that when the colors blend. So once I let the rope batch for 24 hours, I rinse it in cold until the water runs clear. Then I soak in hot soapy water, rinse again, and then let soak in another hot soapy water pan overnight, and then rinse. Usually I don’t see anymore dye, but if I would, I’d soak again. Since I’m not putting this in the washing machine, I need to make sure all of the extra dye is gone. Once it’s rinsed for last time, I hang it to dry which might take another day.
Then it’s time to get on the machine and start sewing. There are alot of tutorials online about how to sew this rope, but what really helped me was Alisa Burke’s class. I talk a little about it on this post. Since I love to dye, instead of painting the rope or wrapping with fabric, I dye it.
Here I’m testing out the coaster with my water glass to make sure it works!
And here is my collection again.
I made these for a Christmas party. We only have an ornament exchange, but I thought it would be neat to give everyone one of these to brighten up the upcoming dreary season. And I’ve had so much fun making them.
I did buy 3-strand cotton which I’m really looking forward to working with. I’ve seen some beautiful baskets made with it.
Just a reminder. Thursday is the last day to register for Icy Delights, my online class on ice dyeing fabric. I will close registration for this class on Friday and won’t reopen until February. Unlike a lot of online classes, I’ve been adding new information as the year has progressed letting everyone know via the monthly email update. And our Facebook group is very active with lots of sharing.
Check what others are doing for Off the Wall Friday and Can I get a Whoop Whoop!
That’s all for today. Hope you have a colorful week.
Awesome – these are so beautiful! It is supposed to snow in my neck of the woods this weekend, so I may have to snow dye some rope and make these! Thanks for the inspiration!
Love, love, love these coasters!
Lynda, do you use a size 18 needle, wide zigzag stitch, and start in the center?
Jan, Thanks. My next rope dyeing will be ice dyeing. Looking forward to seeing how the bowls will look with it. Thanks for dropping by and commenting.
Sherrie, Thanks!
Hi Jane, I use a topstitch 80/12, wide zigzag and yes, start in the center.
Hi, Lynda, BTW, I love your Icy Delights class! The cord you used in your coasters looks braided. The white cord further below looks twisted. Where did you buy the braided cord? I think it would work better for this process than the twisted cord.
Jane, Thank you so much!! The class was a labor of love for sure. The cord I use is clothesline so the strands are tight. I get my clothesline rope 3/16 on amazon – Household Essentials Cotton Clothesline 3/16 inch. The twisted cord might be too large for coasters, but it makes beautiful totes and baskets.
Another Creative Moment and love another use “to dye for”! Thanks for sharing🎨
Ruby, Thanks!
These are wonderful coasters! I use the same dye to tie dye tshirts yearly with my kids. I think I’ll have to dye some rope next year. I’ve been wanting to make a rope bowl, but I think starting with your coasters might be better!
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Shannon, Thanks! These coasters were great gifts for a Christmas party and they were fast. I’ve made several bowls with dyed cord and I see so many more in my future! You will love them for sure! Thanks for dropping by.