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How to Dye Your Cross-Stitch Fabric

Some Canafete patterns call for a background colour you may not find ready-made in stores. Each of those patterns comes with its own small recipe card telling you which dye colour and how much to use. 

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This page covers the part that stays the same every time: the process itself.

 

We use Rit All-Purpose Dye in liquid form because we find it reliable and readily available where we live. Canafete has no affiliation with Rit. If you use a different brand, follow that brand's own instructions and colour formulas, as dye strength varies by brand and the colour result may differ.

Soapy White Fabric
What You'll Need

  • Rit All-Purpose Dye, liquid form (colour and amount from your pattern's recipe card)

  • Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative

  • Table salt

  • Dish detergent

  • 2 buckets or basins that hold at least 2 litres comfortably (use one you won't need for food again)

  • A large spoon for stirring

  • Rubber gloves

  • Measuring cups and spoons

  • A plastic sheet to protect your work surface, and some paper towels

 

Before You Start

 

A note on finished design size: The dimensions stated in your pattern assume undyed fabric. Hot water causes cotton fabric to shrink – on good quality 100% cotton, expect roughly 5%, or about one thread count per inch. Different fibres, or lesser quality fabrics, may shrink more. 

 

This means a design specified at 9 x 12 inches on 18-count fabric may finish closer to 8 1/2 x 11 1/4 inches with 5% shrinkage after dyeing. You have two options: 1) accept a slightly smaller finished size, or 2) compensate by starting with a fabric one count lower than the pattern specifies. If your pattern calls for 18-count, buy 16-count to dye, which should shrink to approximately 17 or 18-count and bring your finished dimensions closer to those stated in the pattern.

 

Cut your fabric to the size recommended in your pattern, adding one extra inch on each side to allow for shrinkage. Hot water will cause some shrinkage – on good quality 100% cotton, expect roughly 5%, or about one thread count per inch. Lesser quality fabrics may shrink more. The extra inch accounts for this and gives you margin for finishing and framing.

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A note on handling wet fabric: never wring or squeeze the fabric forcefully at any point during this process. Gentle pressure only – roll in a clean towel to remove excess water.

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Prep Steps

  1. Finish the raw edges with a zigzag or overlock stitch. A sewn edge holds up through the dyebath and through the duration of your project. Tape is not recommended.

  2. Rinse your fabric in warm water to remove any sizing or starch that may prevent the dye from bonding evenly. Keep the fabric damp, as you'll add it to the dyebath wet.

  3. Cover your work surface and wear gloves.

 

Dyeing Steps

  1. Fill your bucket with 2 litres of hot water, around 60°C / 140°F, or as hot as your tap runs.

  2. Add the dye, salt, and dish detergent from your pattern's recipe card. Stir until everything is dissolved.

  3. Test your colour by dipping a square of paper towel into the dyebath. It will absorb the full colour in seconds. Add a few drops of dye to increase saturation, or a splash of water to dilute, until you're happy with the shade on the towel.

  4. Add your damp fabric.

  5. Stir gently and continuously for the first 10 minutes. Move the fabric around so creases don't settle in one place, as colour can concentrate along fold lines.

  6. Keep the fabric in the dyebath, stirring occasionally, for anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, until you reach the shade you want.

  7. Prepare the fixative bath:

    1. Fill your second bucket with 2 litres of hot water, around 60°C / 140°F.

    2. Add 4 tsp / 20 mL of fixative. Stir to combine.

  8. Remove the fabric from the dyebath. Hold the fabric above the bath and allow it to drain.

  9. Drop your damp fabric into the fixative bath.

 

Note – Wet fabric looks darker than it will once dry, so hold off on judging the final colour until it has dried completely.

 

Fixative Steps

Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative helps lock in the colour and reduce bleeding in future washes. Use it immediately after dyeing, before rinsing.

  1. Add your damp fabric to the fixative bath.

  2. Stir gently and continuously for the first 10 minutes, then stir occasionally . ently for 20 minutes. The bathwater will pick up some colour during this step, which is normal and won't affect your fabric.

  3. Remove the fabric and rinse in cool water until the water runs clear.

 

After Fixing

Wash your fabric in warm water with a mild detergent, rinse, and allow to dry. Lay the fabric flat on a clean towel, roll to press out excess water, then allow to air dry. Press with an iron to restore an even weave.

 

Bigger Fabric

If your pattern needs a piece of fabric larger than 18 x 18 inches, double every amount: 4 litres of water, and double the dye, salt, detergent, and fixative.

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