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Have any of you ever tried...

16 years ago

dying silk flowers with something like Rit dye? I need some more pink poinsettias and of course can't find anything in this small town except red and white. I was thinking I might could buy some of the white and dye them. Anyone done this before?

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Comments (11)

lynnencfan
16 years ago
I have not used rit-dye but I have used Design Master spray to dye flowers - it is pretty good stuff - I am think you can get it at Michaels. I really think the rit dye will work also....

Lynne
dreamgoddess
Original Author
16 years ago
Lynne, what exactly is Design Master? Is it like a spray paint? The closest Michaels is 80 miles away from me and it will probably be at least a couple of weeks before I can get back there.

In the meantime, I may try the rit on some cheap Walmart flowers. At least if it doesn't work, I won't be out alot of money.
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kathleen_li
16 years ago
I think the rit will work too...I'll be on the look out for pink poins!
lynnencfan
16 years ago
It is like a dye in an aerosol can and is used in the floral industry. I used it all the time to dye lace trim when I was in the doll clothes business. I had gotten a really good deal on thousands of yards of white lace trim and just sprayed it to match the material I was working with. This is from their website........

"Design Master COLORTOOL Sprays are extremely versatile and may be used on more surfaces than any other type of color. The ultra-fine, fast-drying spray is delicate enough for use on fresh flowers and other sensitive material, yet sturdy enough for all sorts of surfaces. Use on: Floral and decorating projects, crafts, costumes, gift wrap, invitations and wedding accessories. Fresh, dried and silk flowers, Styrofoam(R), pottery, plastic, metal, wood, wicker, fabric, ribbon, paper, papier mache, and almost any surface. Some Design Master sprays provide heavier coverage and may not be suitable for all surfaces. Please test-spray on an inconspicuous area for compatibility and desired results."

http://www.dmcolor.com/faq.htm

Lynne
delphinium33
16 years ago
I saw pink poinsettias at Joanne's last weekend. If that helps.
luvstocraft
16 years ago
I'm not seeing pink silk poinsettias this year either. The new ones I'm seeing are more "earth tones" of bronze and browns--looked sort of strange to me when I first saw them. Luvs
thrift_shop_romantic
16 years ago
I think it will depend on the fabric the flowers are made of whether the dye would take to it.

I know dye tends to not stick on any synthetic fibers. Great for cottons, wools, etc., but the more synthetic, the less likely it is to soak in.

The Designmaster spray paint is terrific on all sorts of things... I've used it on furniture with a top coat, and it's been really durable, and there are a lot of choices of colors.

--Jenn
dreamgoddess
Original Author
16 years ago
Unfortunately here where I live, we only have Walmart and a few dollars stores. I have to travel about 80 miles to the "big city" to be able to do any shopping at all. It will probably be at least a couple of weeks before I can get back down there, and I'm afraid by then everything will be pretty much sold out.

I'm gonna give the dye a shot and see if it works. If it doesn't, I'll try to pick up some of the Designmaster spray when I go back to Michaels.
Jim_Andrews
16 years ago
You can also usually get any of the Design Master colors through a local florist. I would ask for the sub-line called 'Just For Flowers' (also made by Design Master) which is transparent and allows the existing detail in whatever you are painting to show through. It is designed for use on real flowers so as not to obscure the natural veining and such.

Jim

PS - Most florists have a color chart with everything on it so you can get the correct shade you want.
luvstocraft
16 years ago
Hey, Jim A., welcome to the Holiday forum. Would you like to introduce yourself so we can get to know you? I saw your Christmas decorating pics on the other thread but neglected to say hello. Luvs
Jim_Andrews
16 years ago
Name's Jim - you all figured that out, I expect - and I live in SE Vermont in a 1793 Federal colonial with a dog, cat, a cockatoo, two finches, and six budgies. My sister says that I am old as dirt and/or as old as the house, but the real number is 44 and she is 11 years my junior. Have been a florist and pro decorator for 25+ years, alongside being a DJ in clubs for 15 years, and graphic design and press layout. Moved to Vermont from South Florida in 2005 - got sick of paying huge property tax and insurance bills. (Though I do miss my pool...)

I am generally friendly and a bit on the shy side. Studied music for years and years and have a particular love for Renaissance, ecclesiastical, and grand classical music. Yes, I like opera - studied it for a number of years. Bit of a shutterbug, love to read (mysteries and dense prose by dead Russians are fun for me), and I spend too many hours in used book stores. Oh, and I love old cemeteries.

Ummmmm - what else would you like me to bore you dead with?

;-)

Oh, yeah, I also have a Flickr album with my junk on it.

Here is a link that might be useful: My Flickr pics

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truly special gifts. . .

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