Antique linen

suem

I love making antique looking designs. Can anyone tell me how  to colour my linen to make it look worn or antique. Thankyou.

viky

I use the tea dye method.

atenea

Use tea for dying, the colour is really nice :)

waspjh1984

Tea or coffee.  The chart for Josiah Turners Sampler as directions.   

Full directions with pictures here:  http://newenglandclassicstitch.com/HowtoAntiqueYourProject.aspx

DELETED

Someone once told me to add salt to it to make the colour last longer - I know eventually the tea/coffe fades, but I think it might take a long time to do that.

mathurin

I think that alum salt is the one usually used to make colours fast when dying.

sallyrose

Reply 5# mathurin


    Good to know. Thanks.

suem

Thankyou ladies,
So now I need to go and make a cup of tea!

Pitiknitz

Adding a little bit of ground cinnamon and nutmeg to black tea gives it a different tint than just black tea.  Also applying it with a cotton ball or spray gives it a different look.

suem

Many thanks Pitiknitz. The added spices sound like they would also make it smell lovely. And those particular smells would be so nice for a Christmas ornament.

WiseOwl

I use the tea dye method.. seems to give the right look if you want to get that aged antique look... I only use it on linen fabric..