Dying Dilemma 2025 Part 6

Dying Dilemma 2025 Part 6

As in my previous Blog I didn’t craft this but left it to a professional.

Coin Hip Scarf Black

This is a Black Hip Scarf that I brought whilst I was abroad in Egypt. It is known as a Coin Scarf for obvious reasons. The Coins are Silver in Colour.

Egyptian Hat

This is a Box type Hat with Cloth attached. It can be used as a Face Veil and has Gold Highlights.

Bead Hat

This is a different type of Belly Dancing Hat. It made from Beads. If I remember correctly I got this from somebody selling them on a Boat. I was taking a trip down the Nile in a Felucca.  They seemed to sell a lot of Beaded work in Southern Egypt which along with Sudan used to be the Kingdom of Nubia.

Black Organza Edged

I had picked this particular trim because of the mixture of Gold in the Hats and Silver in the Hip Scarf  Here it is beautifully Sewn to the Top of the Black Organza.

According to my friend Laura who owns Alyssa Rose Boutique it was a right pain to do. To which I replied why do you think I got you to do it instead of me.

Purple Velvet Hip Scarf

I cannot remember if this came from Egypt or later on from Tunisia. Regardless this is a far more sturdy Hip Scarf. The material is like Velvet and though you cannot really tell from the photograph it is a rich Purple colour.

This is by far my favourite Hip Scarf. I feel fantastic wearing it. Like the other Scarves it has Silver Coins.

Purple Chiffon Edged

I now have my lovely Purple Veil to go with my Hip Scarf. As much as I love to Craft sometimes its better to let a professional do it.

https://derbyclothhouse.co.uk/

https://www.alyssa-rose.co.uk/

Dying Dilemma 2025 Part 5

Dying Dilemma 2025 Part 5

First of all I have to confess that apart from the choosing of Materials I have not contributed Craft wise .As you may recall this whole process was started by enrolling in a Belly Dancing Class. Along with the Skirt I need more Paraphernalia. 

Lilac Veil

I had a Veil that was temporary one but I need to get a proper one. I should mention at this point that Veil doesn’t mean for the Face but is Tucked into the Waistband and used as a Prop.

Bought Veil

I bought a Veil online and what arrived was not at all what I wanted. First of all it was way too short in both width and length. Not only that the Material was terrible. It was so coarse and scratchy. Not at all something I would want next to my Skin.

Black Organza

Therefore I decided to make one. My friend Laura recommended a Fabric place so I took a trip to Derby to the Derby Cloth House.

The place was a lot bigger than I anticipated so I had so much choice. I settle on some lovely Black Organza to go with the Skirt that I had Dyed.

Purple Silk Chiffon

I had decided that since my Skirt hadn’t come out as I hoped and also because it was Damaged I would have two outfits. One outfit for practise that would be Black and a performance Outfit that would be Purple.

Black Edging

Now I had the Basic Material I needed to find some Edging to go with it. This posed a problem because there was so much to choose from. I finally settled on some that looked like Gold on Silver.

Purple Edging

With the Black sorted I moved on to the Purple. I found some much thinner Purple and Gold. I bought 2 metres of each.

Fancy Purple Edging

I found this Fancy Edging. Unfortunately there was only a metre left of it but I couldn’t resist it.

https://derbyclothhouse.co.uk/

Dying Dilemma 2025 Part 4

Dying Dilemma 2025 Part 4

A short blog this week as ending one section

Darker

After washing and drying this is the result. Though it is definitely Darker is definitely is not Black

Torn Edging

On careful Inspection I find that some of the Edging is Torn.

Repaired

I have now Repaired the Torn section. However I would like you to look at the three photographs above. These were taken in the same room with the same phone but the shades are completely different.

You would think that this was from three different skirts. Also though I did my best to Dye the Skirts evenly on the second photograph you can clearly see a difference. 

Dying Dilemma 2025 Part 3

Dying Dilemma 2025 Part 3

Now to start the actual Dying

Bath Dye

I have filled the bath with 6 Litres of Water and added the Dye to the Bath.

Immerse Skirt

I place the Skirt into the Water. I ensure that the whole Skirt is Immersed. I Stir it for 15 minutes  then leave it to soak. I leave it for several hours Stirring every 45 minutes.

Empty Water

After I am satisfied that it is Dyed as much as it is possible to get I Empty the Bath of Water. By the look of it I am going to have to do a lot of Cleaning before putting the next lot of Water in.

Third Wash

I have already Washed the Skirt 3 times. The Dye is still pouring out. I am going to have to keep Rinsing and Repeating.

Giving Up

That is it. I have lost count of how many times I have Rinsed this Skirt. It has taken me all day and my Back is Giving Up. I have decided to try getting the rest out by Washing Machine.

Dying Dilemma 2025 Part 2

Dying Dilemma 2025 Part 2

Gloves on and ready to go.

Salt

Dying can be a pain. The one thing I remember from doing it years ago was that you needed Salt. I generally use rock or sea Salt and a grinder but I was sure that I had some in the cupboard somewhere.

Cooking Salt

I wasn’t sure how much Salt I needed or how much I had in so I picked up some more. The Salt and the Gloves I picked up before I even had bought the Dye.

Jug for Salt.

A problem I had was that I do not have a proper Measure at the moment. This means that I am going to have to Measure old school using a Pyrex Jug with weights on.

250 Grams of Salt

Ah ok I have seriously over bought on the Salt front. I only needed 250g. Never mind as Salt does not go off and it will come in handy if we get a bad winter and I have to Salt the path.

Dye Crystals

I put the Salt aside for a moment. Making sure that I am wearing my Marigold Gloves are fully pulled up and covering my arms I am now opening the Dye Packet and tipping out the Dye Crystals.

Dye Mixed

I add 500 Millilitres of Warm Water and Mix the Dye ready for the next stage. This is where it is going to start getting Messy.