Last week I shared my list of basic supplies and how I draw out patterns for my hooked rugs. This week I thought I’d share how I dye 100% wool fabric using Cushing’s Perfection Dyes. Next week I’ll show you how I hook my rugs.
When you are searching for wool fabric for your hooked rugs, you want to look for 100% wool. Sometimes I’ll get lucky and find 100% wool at the fabric store, but often times it’s either really expensive {even with a coupon} or not what I’m looking for texture or pattern wise. When I first started rug hooking I would buy wool and wool blend skirts from the thrift stores and take them apart before dying them. But my results were always a bit mixed and more often than not the colors didn’t turn out the way I had hoped they would. So I stopped buying “used” wool.
These days I prefer to buy wool from Rebecca Erb’s Wool Studio. She offers such an amazing assortment of colors and textures {the selection is always changing} that it has become my one shop for buying wool. The quality of her wool is amazing, and I have never once been disappointed with the wool I have purchased from her.
New customers can order a 30 swatch New Customer Mailer for $5.00. If you become an active customer by ordering 2 yards {or $42.00}, you will be added to her quarterly swatch mailing list.
Every once in a while I will place a big order from The Dorr Mill Store {their oatmeal wool is one of my favorites} but only when I know I’ll be ordering quite a few yards because the cost to ship a package from the East coast to the West coast add up quick. Buying from 1 supplier has really helped me save on shipping.
Once you have your wool fabric, you’ll want to cut it into 1/4 or 1/8 yard pieces. This will make it easier to cut into strips later {I’ll cover that next week}. When I dye wool I like to use an assortment of textures and colors. I find it makes the rugs a little more interesting if all the colors are not so matchy matchy.
Next, you’ll want to get your wool wet. Pre-soak your wool in warm water with a wetting agent such as Ivory liquid.
You will only need a couple of drops of soap. Then, allow your wool to soak for about 1 hour.
While you are waiting on your wool to soak. gather up your Cushing’s Perfection Dyes. You can find all sorts of dye recipes books online. Note: You do not want to breath the dyes in. It is recommend that you wear a dust mask or measure dyes outside so you do not breathe them in.
You’ll need Cushing’s dyes to dye your own wool. Rit dye {although I love it} is just not going to cut it because you want to be able to blend several different colors together so you are not working with primary colors. Cushing’s dyes cost around $2.85 each and it typically takes tiny amounts of several different colors to create the warm, primitive colors I love to use in my rugs. I use Mini Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons to measure out my dyes instead of shelling out big bucks for the fancy dye spoons most rug hooking supply sites sell.
Next, fill an old enamelware or stainless steel pot about 3/4rd full of water and bring it to a boil. {You need to do this in a well ventilated area with a pot specifically used for dyeing wool. You DO NOT want to use one of your everyday pots for dying wool and then use it for cooking because you are using chemicals}.
When the water starts to boil, stir in your dye mix until it is all dissolved. Reduce heat to a simmer.
After your wool has soaked for an hour our so, pull the plug and ring {most} of the water out of your fabric.
Slowly add the wool fabric to the dye pot. Stir the wool around in the dye bath for a minute or two until the color has started to absorb. Let the fabric simmer in the dye bath for 30- 60 minutes. {Some people let their wool soak overnight believing they’ll get a richer, deeper color. I don’t do this.}
After the wool has absorbed nearly most of the dye, turn off the heat and stir in about 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar to stop the dyeing process and set the color. {Make sure your windows open because this part will stink up the house} Let the wool sit in the vinegar water for an hour or so to cool.
Once the water has cooled, rinse your wool fabric under warm water. Ring dry and then toss the wool into the dryer with an old towel and a dryer sheet {to prevent static cling}. Tumble dry.
Easy peasy, right?
Okay, so that’s it for this week. Let me know if you have any questions.
Next week I will post a tutorial on how I hook my rugs.
~Mavis
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WendyinCA says
Hi Mavis! How much wool can you dye at once? Do the directions for mixing your dye colors tell you that?
Mavis Butterfield says
It honestly depends on the recipe you are using. I typically dye wool in 2 yard batches. The dye recipes in most books will dye either 1/2 yard or 1 yard of wool.
WendyinCA says
Thanks!
reta mahoney says
Kia ora Mavis,
How can I get your tutorial on hooking rugs.
Thanks,
Reta
retakbm@gmail.com
Judy T says
you may want to recommend using safe practices as far as measuring out the dye powders, as you really don’t want to breathe them. You could wear a dust mask, or better yet (so you don’t get dye dust all over the kitchen) measure outside or in a box using a damp paper towel in the bottom of the box to catch the dust.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks for the reminder Judy T, I will add that to the post.
Patty B says
Mavis, the wools are beautiful. Love those colors. I dye cottons using Procion dyes. They dye natural fabrics. I am going to second what Judy T says. The powdered dyes can become a lung hazard so wear a dust mask.
I don’t know if I want to see HOW you hook rugs because it may start me on another hobby! I already have limited time for my quilting but I love the rugs you make. My retirement quilt list is already too long! But, maybe I could use the wools to make quilts. I think you may have sparked my creativity.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks Patty B, I will add to that to the post.
Jenny says
I was just thinking about giving this a try. I work for a church and they have a thrift store. Today, someone dropped of 5 yards of wool fabric. I picked it all up for around 12 dollars.
Mavis Butterfield says
Wow! That was a great deal you scored.
Marietta says
Hi, I’m just starting to dye yarn, so I’ve already got a pretty good investment from buying undyed wool yarn, a starter kit, a pot, a rinse bucket, and need to get more dye colors and things like the soak and vinegar. My question is more in the nature of a nagging fear about using hot water and wool! I was raised with the thumped-in belief that you never use heat on wool or you ruin it. I see from reading that you are to boil the wool, and you have additionally thrown your dyed wool into the dryer. This is standing out in my brain like the ultimate sin! Why doesn’t this ruin the wool by felting it as it does if you were to throw a wool sweater into the washing aching on hot water? Thanks!
Mavis Butterfield says
Actually, that that was a great question Marietta. You want the wool to tighten up quite a bit so it does not unravel. 🙂
Lisa says
what formula do you use for Cushing dyes to get the color grey. I have attempted many batches and just cant figure it out.
Lisa
Mavis Butterfield says
Hi Lisa to overdye grey, this is the recipe I like to use per 1/2 yard:
1/2 teaspoon ecru
1/16 khaki drab
1/64 olive green
1/64 bronze
Margo says
Mavis,
Did I miss the final blog post on how to hook rugs?? Can’t find it using your search engine. Thank You.
Mavis Butterfield says
No. I still haven’t finished it. LOL. I’ll move it to the top of my list.
Marilyn Bradley says
I am so excited to find your site! I am just now getting started with rug hooking, dyeing, etc. What a wonderful thing for you to do: share your experience with those that don’t have a clue yet! ha Thank you so much!! I will be visiting often. 🙂
Ruth Helm says
Hi Mavis,
This is sort of related….I have been using white vinegar in the rinse cycle of my good winter wool sweaters. this past year I am finding moth holes! Do you think the moths could be attracted to the food type residue of white vinegar. I have found the vinegar to be a good fabric softener and rinses out excess laundry detergent, etc.
Thank you, I value your ideas!
Manu says
Hello! I have a nice coat (bone color) 100% wool….that got some stains over the years and so I never use it again. Can I dye it like you said in hot boiling water? Will it shrink ?? Will I be able to use it again after all these process?? Should I try these? Please let me know your sincere opinion. Thanks
Sheila says
Hi Mavis,
Could you please post a follow up showing us your process of actually hooking a rug?
I would be so grateful!
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes. I took the pictures I just need to put a post together.
Pam Bowman says
I just found your blog and I really want to see your third post! I
Raquel says
Hi Mavis,
I love your blog posts! When will your rug hooking process post be released? I’m looking forward to seeing it.
Patrice says
I too am looking forward to that last post on rug hooking. Enjoyed the others.
Donna says
Has the “How to rug hook” ever been posted? I can’t seem to find it.
Victoria says
Thanks so much for this post , I just got some cushing’s dyes and some wool ..So perfect timing for the how to.
My Question is Do I really need to put the wool in the dryer , ( as I don’t have one )
Eva says
I’ve been looking for the book you mentioned the Red Saltbox. The link doesn’t work. It takes me to Dorr Mill Store but I don’t think they carry it. Anymore. Where else could I find it?
Thanks.
Mavis Butterfield says
Hi Eva,
I don’t think the dye book is available anymore online, or by The Red Saltbox. I’m sorry.