Gently squeeze the excess dye solution out. I wouldn’t recommend this method for the seat cushions as some of the dye might rub off, but it worked perfectly for the upholstered parts of the frame. Remove the cushion cover from the dye solution using thick rubber gloves to keep the hands dye-free, and rinse with water until it flows clear. Pour 2 cups of water into a saucepan and bring it to a boil on your stove top. Fill the pot with 9 gallons of water. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan or kettle. The one on the left is spray painted – the one on the right isn’t done yet. Be prepared to sew this seam back together by hand after you’ve dyed the covers -- if you don’t have basic sewing skills, recruit a crafty friend or family member to help. This do-it-yourself project will be most successful if your cushion covers are made from a natural fiber such as wool, cotton, linen or silk, and if their existing color is lighter than the color you wish to dye them. And here is the top of one of the back cushions done. Contrast. I was so excited to dye my chair that looks exactly as this one. in a bucket)? Leave the covers to … Wear an apron and old clothing while dyeing your cushion covers. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. The project takes about 20 minutes to complete, and … How to Get Red Wine out of a Down Comforter, How to Get Rid of Mildew in a Sofa Cushion, How to Remove Dried Mod Podge From Fabric, How to Remove Pen From Microfiber Furniture. Rinse the fabric under warm water at first, then under cold water until the water runs clear. The entire collection is mildew, stain and fade resistant, so whatever you choose, your new cushions will stay vibrant season after season. 2. After rinsing wool cushion covers, pull them back into shape by hand and lay them flat on a towel to dry. This helps the dye evenly penetrate the fabric. You don’t need to boil the additional water, but let the faucet run until it’s hot. Using a dye from an art and craft shop won’t be of any use and may further damage the fabric. A writer of diverse interests, Joanne Thomas has penned pieces about road trips for Hyundai, children's craft projects for Disney and wine cocktails for Robert Mondavi. Don’t discard the dye bath after you remove the cushion covers. First you need to measure the chair seat. Stir the mixture with the wooden spoon. If your cushion covers are wool, allow them to soak in the dye solution without agitating the mixture with the spoon -- agitation can cause wool to shrink. The salt and vinegar help the dye penetrate the fabric's fibers. I used the boxed RIT on one and TINTEX on the other, and the results were very similar. I added about 20 inches and it worked out fine updating only the top side. Put the cushion forms or stuffing back inside the cushion covers. She has lived on three continents and currently resides in Los Angeles, where she is co-owner and editor of a weekly newspaper. This project is most successful if your cushion covers are made from a natural fiber such as cotton, wool or silk, and if the original color is lighter than the color of the dye. The dye did rub off ocasionally, if there was any swimsuit dampness on it though. Remove the covers from the cushions. Stir the mixture with an old wooden spoon (one that will no longer be used for food) until dye is fully dissolved into the water. But alas she was correct. I pointed out that iDye has a formula for poly. Why? These homemade cushions would just be an ideal choice to soften the hardness of any sitting chair or couch and will be super cost-effective to make! If you had to unpick part of a seam to remove the cushions, stitch the seam back together with a needle and matching thread. Fill washer up with hot water (making sure the fabric can move freely) and add dye to the water along with 1 cup of salt dissolved in about 4 cups of hot water. Lift the cushion covers from the dye bath and squeeze the excess dye solution back into the bucket. If the color is not as deep as you desire, return it to the dye bath and continue soaking the covers, stirring and agitating every five to 10 minutes until the color is satisfactory. If you want the color to be darker or more intense, you can simply place them back into the same dye bath and repeat the process until the final color is to your satisfaction. Leave the covers to soak in the dye bath for about five minutes. First, determine how much dye is needed. As a general guideline, one bottle of Rit DyeMore will dye up to two pounds of dry fabric. The dye can't penetrate the elastic bands, so this is where the white circles will appear. Measure the length and width of the panel and add these numbers together, multiplying by 2 to get the perimeter of the cushion. Choose Your Method. The first 10 minutes are the most critical. Since I’m painting an entire couch, there is a lot of area to cover and chalk paint isn’t always the most cost effective. Pile them all in place and there’s barely room left to lie down, so inevitably about half of them end up living on the floor most of the time. It's no secret that custom upholstery can be really pricey. That's why, when it comes to projects like how to make a bench seat cushion, it's usually worth your time to make your own. After using your old wooden spoon to mix the dye solution, it is no longer safe to use it for food. I was wondering, some of my cushions (the seat part that you sit on) have zippers so you can take them off. If color is too light, add more dye. A writer of diverse interests, Joanne Thomas has penned pieces about road trips for Hyundai, children's craft projects for Disney and wine cocktails for Robert Mondavi. My seat was 15 x 17″, so I wanted my fabric to be 17 x 19″. There are a few ways to get the look: a sewing machine, sewing glues, staples (if you're attaching a cushion to the bottom of a wood seat) or safety pins will all do the trick. Stir slowly and continuously. Lay strips of carpet tape on seat as shown, remove protective paper on one side. Sit on the chair to help get make the cushion come in … It should not take more than an hour. Whether they have become stained, dated or don’t fit with your decor any more, an inexpensive box of fabric dye will transform old cushion covers into something like new. Do not attempt to dye cushion covers that are labeled “dry clean only.” Not only will the dye not take, but you might ruin the fabric and make the covers useless. Sew the bigger seat cushions for your outdoor sitting couch and sitting sets, have a look at the given sample that comes with fade lined cover and has been stuffed with heavy duty and dense foam sheet! Whether they have become stained, dated or don’t fit with your decor any more, an inexpensive box of fabric dye will transform old cushion … Thomas holds a BSc in politics from the University of Bristol, England. Stir in 1 cup of salt or 1 cup of white vinegar to the dye solution, depending on the fabric content of your cushion covers. Firstly, don’t even attempt dying a cushion that doesn’t have a removable cover. The dye needed for outdoor cushions must be able to withstand Australian conditions. Immerse the entire cushion into the dyebath. If you want to cover the whole cushion front and back, calculate as follows: Double the depth and add another 20 inches for the sides, depending on the thickness of your cushion. Place the cushion covers, one at a time, into the bucket to begin the dyeing process. Immediately wipe any spilled dye solution to avoid staining. If your cushion covers are not designed to be removed, carefully unpick one of the side seams with embroidery scissors or a seam ripper, just enough to remove the cushion form or stuffing from the inside. I set a timer to go off every 10 minutes so I could start the “heavy” cycle over since my washer didn’t have a timer. This small change may do wonders to refresh the decor of an entire seating area or room. Remember that the final color when the fabric is dry will be lighter than it appears when the fabric is wet. If the color is not as intense as you would like, return the covers to the dye bath and repeat the process. I took the fabric to Jo-Ann’s Fabric. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. For a deeper color, add more dye and let the cushion covers soak in the dye solution for a longer amount of time than is recommended by the manufacturer. Take the fabric covers off the cushions. I imagine if you used a fixative, you would be fine. If dyeing 100% polyester or trying to achieve a very bold color, double the dye quantity. Don't discard the dye solution until you have examined the results of the rinsed and dried cushion covers. Take the covers to the sink and rinse them under warm water, then cold water until you can’t see any more dye running out of the fabric. 19. My seat cushion is 40 inches wide and 15 inches deep. ... We are loving this color! Inside: How to make a custom bench seat cushion with box corners for a really polished look. Using the stick, stir it for around five minutes to ensure the dye is well incorporated. fabric dye; chalk paint; latex or acrylic paint mixed with fabric medium; I decided against fabric dye since this is outdoor furniture. With a big paintbrush, paint the hot dye on the cushions. To make the dye take better, bring it to a boil in a stainless steel pan and take the pan outside where your cushions are sitting on plastic tarps. Center and press cushion onto chair. or would the paint not be flexible enough to withstand putting the cushions … As a general guideline, one bottle of Rit DyeMore will dye one pound of fabric. Dye Your Couch Cushions a New Color. Every five minutes or so, agitate the fabric by swirling it around in the solution with the spoon. Let the cushion covers soak for about five minutes. Weigh the cushion covers on a food scale or estimate the weight. Add 1 cup of salt to the solution if your cushion covers are made of cotton, linen or rayon. Transfer the boiling water to your bucket or basin and sprinkle or squeeze into the water the amount of dye recommended for the approximate volume of fabric you will be working with. Using just one color didn’t seem to block the “white” from showing through – but both colors did. She has lived on three continents and currently resides in Los Angeles, where she is co-owner and editor of a weekly newspaper. 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