Leftover Dye? Give This a Try: A Jar Overdye Tutorial
When I found this lovely Indian tunic at the thrift shop, I was super-happy. I LOVE tunic dresses, and figured this one could be worn as-is.
My eyes must be going. :/ When I got my tunic home and took a closer look, I saw why someone probably donated it.
That’s right. Someone ignored the “Dry Clean Only” tag and tossed this once-beautiful tunic into their washing machine. :/ The dye was everywhere, and very noticeable. :/
I hadn’t planned on doing a refashion of this piece, but I saw no other way to make this dress wearable. I dug into my dye stash for the answer to my problem.
First, I started wadding up the dress into a jar, sprinkling some black powdered dye into the folds…
Unfortunately, this box had been opened before and only had a little bit of dye left…not enough to add dye all the way up. Undaunted, I grabbed a bottle of dye that was almost used up.
As I am an honest blogger, I’ll just let you know that I didn’t think this color combo was going to work too well together, but Orange and Black were all I had on hand. I crossed my fingers and poured some hot water into the jar.
I closed the lid (which turned out to be a terrible idea) and left my project on the counter while I had lunch with a friend.
When I got back, the lid had sealed shut! I COULD NOT pry it open. I tried using a butter knife and a screwdriver. I even tried submerging the jar in hot water. Then I tried cold water. Nothing worked! I started to panic, as I didn’t want my new dress to be sitting in its dye bath for too long.
I eventually broke the jar with a hammer. No lie. Drastic times call for drastic measures, friends.
At this point, my dress was thoroughly saturated with dye, so I dropped it my washing machine for a couple of cycles to rinse all the excess dye away.
Here’s the result of my labors:
You can see where this tunic has slitted sides (hence my underdress peeking out in the pic above). The dye job ended up being more dramatic than I had intended, but I actually really like it!
I especially like how the neckline turned out.
My buddy Ryan liked it too!
We hopped over to this tasty place for a treat:
While there, I met this cool young lady who told me she was just starting to get into sewing after reading my blog…which did my heart a world of good. 🙂
Fun times in a fun new frock! 🙂
72 Comments
tvonzalez
I just discovered you and your blog – gave you a linkback and am your newest follower.
http://www.thriftshopcommandob.blogspot.com
Shannon
Thanks for the idea. My daughter was crying because she now hates the dress she bought at a thrift store (without me) for Homecoming next weekend. I just tried dyeing for the first time and the result was awesome! Thanks!
Marnie
I love the colors and thought it very clever of you to run with the bleeding colors of the original motif. Black tights and your leopard booties could be cute with it. Maybe the fall colors with bare legs and sandals is throwing folks off.
goldeglo
I vaguely remember, from Physics class, that pressure and volume are inversely proportional when held at a constant temperature. You created a HUGE vacuum by sealing the jar with hot water in it. Sometimes it pays off to pay attention to science.
Janie
Like it? I LOVE it!
julia
I like the black lies mixing with the print of the dress but the top part of the dress, jus dirty like you just came out of living on a trash dumpster , or you just bought that dress from homeless
Jennifer Wiley
Hmmm. I like the bottom. Not sure about this as a whole. BUT anyway! Let’s get a little off subject and say I love the blog’s new look. And recently I have been combing through your blog posts for midlandsbiz to get my Jillian fix (do it ladies, it’s enjoyable reading. A couple of faves: ‘Let’s Not Be Friends’ and ‘A Jerk, A Jawline, and a Writer Without Words’). I’m loving your humor and candor. And as far as hair goes (re: ‘I Like My Short Hair’), I have to say my tab page for refashionista.net on my Chrome browser is a screen shot of the old layout when you had the portrait by Joshua Beard at the top of the page. You with no hair at all (supporting St. Baldrick’s Foundation)… and what? You are totally gorgeous, girlfriend, that’s what! Ladies, check it out here if you missed it http://artbysusanlenz.blogspot.com/2010/07/bald-is-beautiful-decision-portrait.html and check out Josh’s work here http://www.jbeardfoto.com/portrait_gallery/#.VgNf78v2C00. I hope you don’t mind, Jillian, but I had to give some proper kudos.
judy ross
I have never dyed a print. What an interesting idea! Thanks!
gwen
I love what happened at the bottom – very edgy. Definitely prefer this over the “before”. Boots or maybe Converse would be great with this for fall (does the South get fall temps before December?).
Your new hair is gorgeous!
Heidi
Awesome to see you rocking yet another refashion. I echo all who’ve said they have missed your posts. I have, too.
I LOVE this refashion AND I love it on you.
Summer
Jillian, although this wasn’t my favourite creation of yours, I just have to say, I love your blog! I got ridiculously excited when I saw this update – I have missed your posts so much! Keep doin’ whatcha been doin’!
-Summer
jenny_o
You are fearless – and I love this on you. It’s bold and unique and kind of reminds me of an Oriental print now. Good stuff!
Sarah W.
I admire that you have the confidence and personality to wear this sort of quirky-cute piece. My personal sense of style is very traditional, but I love seeing other people look and feel fabulous in the trends and styles which are not suited to me.
I also want to say it cheered me up to see a new post from you in my feed. (^-^)
Shirley
Fabulous! It is so unique looking. It is a real eye-catching dress now. It’s a winner!!
Janet
Love it and it looks fabulous on you 🙂
Riff
“ply and dye” 😀
i like the bottom part of the tunic, but not the neckline, the black spot on it looks too random and dirty (to my opinion), compared to the awesome big black stripes on the bottom. i’d have cut the neckline and/or replaced it with an other piece of braid.
Lalee
Well I’ll be darned, that did turn out nice,looks espicially good with your coloring..your secret is taking the chance to just go for it..pouring black powder followed by orange liquid did not make sense but it Did at the end of the day..I like it.
JL
Wow – no wonder Jillian doesn’t post as much as she used to when people spill their bile in the comments section. You don’t have to like her creations but you also don’t have to post mean comments because you don’t like it. I’m appalled and astounded.
Jillian – I think you’re a star.
Vicki Hensley Dudek
I have truly missed your posts…..very glad to see you and your fashion rescues in the in-box
Julie Adams
Love It!!
Suzanne Mellor
Jillian:
I am so glad you are back! I look forward to your posts!
God Bless
Katheryn
Very interesting and cool! I love the collar, too. very unique and creative.
Felice Coles
Love your stuff, but this is a no. It looks like the dress got run over by some messy AV tires. It was better before, but I still love your creativity when you see something that someone else has discarded. Keep refashioning, girl! Just don’t do this again.
Josipa'S Nature and Recycle art
It’s unique that’s for sure! I like it.
Jillian McKimm
Hi, been wondering how you are travelling. Great to hear from you, I have missed you. You are looking happy, lovely and healthy! I’m always curious to see what you have been up to! Go girl, be fearless! Love and admiration! Jillian 🙂
Judith
You have a way with dye. In the future rather than breaking the jar, just flip the wire latch on the jar then pull out on the tab on the rubber ring gasket. This will create an air gap and release the vacuum inside the jar. Congratulations on successfully canning a dress!
nikki
I guess I am the odd duck because I actually like it. What a cool way to use up dye and it really changed the look of the dress!!
Marcia Aquino
I love fabric from India, and you gave it a new look!!!
Onilda Azevedo
I love everything ! thanks
Carrie Holstrom
I like the refash (I like its vibe and it looks great on you), but I’m even more impressed with your ability to handle the negative comments…I think I’d be a sobbing mess after reading some of these. Go you!!
ReFashionista
It’s cool, Carrie. 🙂 I’ve done about 800 refashions. Everyone has their own personal taste and opinion. I honestly welcome ALL feedback as it’s ALL valuable. 🙂
Carrie Holstrom
Ok, good! But know that I’ve got your back if you ever need it, LOL!
Laura Sublette Greer
I love your blog and so glad you are back but really am not liking this outfit. Maybe cut off the bottom and make it into a top paired with jeans.
Kathy Giovingo
I actually like it. I agree that the black leggings, or boots would add to the look. I would like to see the bottom a bit closer, to see just how the design looked through the dye. I think it’s a winner, and I agree you look good in most all of your creations!
Kay
Where have you been??? Today it the day after my birthday, so what a treat to find your blog post! I always love to see what you do! I think its different and cool!
Debbie d
Sorry, don’t like it.
Kenz
Sweet one!! I adore your refashions, but this is the 1st time I have to say….you broke that fabulous jar for THAT mess? So sad. Not wearable, IMO
nonrever1
Not crazy about this refashion.
Btw maybe if you had poked a hole in the lid (assuming this was a plastic jar) it would have reduced the presssure that was probably created by the hot water and you could then open it.
robjodiefilogomo
It is interesting…I think overall, it’d look better in the after photo if you had on black leggings & boots. To me, the flip-flops interfere too much! Thanks for the tips…I’ve dyed things before, but only in a pail of water! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Agatha L.
Hi! I agree it would have looked much better with black leggings and black flats or even heels.
Nancy Parker
I love to get your emails:) You are so creative and inspirational – keep it up. Hope all is well with you! Nancy
NancyW.
I love it! It’s got a real hippie vibe, done in the kitchen exactly like we used to do way back when. you never knew what you were going to get and that’s what made one of a kind pieces.
Rosemarie
Love your sense of adventure and style, but to be honest, tie a belt around the before and I like that one better. But thanks for the whimsy!
Karen G.
Cute dress, great to see you back!
SuzyDQ
Orange is the new black… I thought you knew exactly what you were doing when you chose those colors! I’d love to see a refash of this refash since so far the feedback seems to not be in favor of this first attempt.
Beth
Uh NO!, but I’m glad you liked it.
Betty
This is the only one that you have done over that I didn’t care for. You are amazing.
Tracy
God I’ve missed your refashioning posts! I love them all!!
Pam
Not feeling this one, but your hair is really cute in the pic:)
Still made me laugh, tho!
Keep it up Jillian!
Nancy
Interesting. Edgy, I’d call it. Sorry that your jar had to pay the ultimate price. Thank you for sharing your creativity. I’ve missed you and your sense of humor. Please give Douglas a gentle hug for me.
Karen
5 stars for effort on this one! It’s not a style/color I prefer, but hey, not everything somebody makes is perfect. 🙂
(plus it might be spectacular at Halloween!!)
fieldmouse
I think the lid stuck because of the vacuum caused as the hot water cooled.
If so, gently reheating the jar in a water bath should allow the lid to release.
Kate M.
I like it, especially the neckline and the contrast of the black stripes at the bottom. I could also imagine it re-made a couple different ways (sleeveless, skirt, shirt…).
MaryLou
I really love what you do with Goodwill finds but this not so much. I do like the neckline though. The rest just looks messy.
I miss your regular posts. 🙁
MaryAnn
I love the combo of the black and orange!
Kristen | The Frugal Girl
Just a note about the jar…if that kind of thing happens to you again, you can get the lid unstuck by reheating the jar (like in a pot of hot water) The lid will come right open.
I know this because I’ve gotten a pot lid stuck on super tight before. Ahem.
Roni
Love it. Great job!!!
You really are awesome
linziloop
I get the feeling this might be one of those “What the heck was I thinking?!” moments you look back on in the future… it looks like a half burnt scrap of sofa covering you’ve rescued from a dumpster! Darling! I LOVE your stuff usually but I gotta be honest with this one, eeeek! XXXxxxxXXXXxxxxx
ReFashionista
No worries! I hope you like the next one. 🙂
KittyGritty
hmmm. I think maybe you should have waited to buy a full bottle of dye. Sorry. doesn’t really work, in my opinion. All black it would look nice.
Carrie
I love it! very unique!
Lynn
Have to agree with Michelle — Sorry!!
ReFashionista
It’s okay! 🙂 I hope you like the next one!
CAROL
LOVE the looks of this dress………….will the dye run again if you wash it, or is the dye set?
ReFashionista
Thanks! It’s set! I rinsed it in my machine really thoroughly (Yikes…need to add that step to the post), so it’s not going anywhere. Plus I wash everything I own in cold water to be on the safe side.
G
I don’t get it. The before was better.
Sparkles
I dig it. It’s hippie-ish to me. Plus, it’s all about attitude. p.s. Also, your hairs are adorable.
Pat
You are so cute you could wear anything.
Michelle
I normally love your creativity,this one isn’t one of them.
Purple
I agree – this one is a fail. I thought she’d use dye remover & at least TRY to clean it up instead of ruining it. Oh well.
Lauren
I also agree. I’m sure something else could have been done. The once beautiful tunic is now just a mess…..sorry.
Mary Bielamowicz
It is beautiful!!! I appreciate your fearless creativity. I’ve never commented before, but I’ve been following your blog a while. It has been a driver for me to live a more creative lifestyle.