Crinoline Blues

I am such a bridal whore. Since I started to plan my wedding, I have begun to slowly collect crinolines. And now I'm up to three. What am I going to do with all these? Well, dye them of course! I finally got off my lazy butt to do a DIY project I should have done a long time ago.

I had gone to my apartment's laundry room after work, only to find out that I must use a card for the machines. Since the office was closed already, I had to turn back home. I was frustrated and wanted to do something. I decided to just do it in my bathtub.

So I filled the bathtub with super hot water, with the knob turned all the way to the right (or left for the rest of you peoples, my shower is backwards).

Then I threw in the crinoline and let it soak for about 5 minutes.

I had boiled some hot water earlier and had poured it into 2 empty water bottles (caution: it is HOT! don't burn your fingers doing this. I placed mine on the sink and poured it carefully into the bottles).

Then, I added to each bottle, a RIT powder in the color Evening Blue.

I shook the bottle a little bit for mixing and poured into different areas of the bathtub (NOT directly onto the fabric!).

With rubber gloves on, I began to swirl the crinny around to help mix the water. I made sure most of it was underwater.

Here was my technique. 1) I would scrunch, swirl, and swish with my rubbered hands for 3 minutes and then let it sit for 3 minutes. 2) Then I would rotate or turn the crinny around 1/4 so that different parts of the crinny would spend time being under water. 3) Then I would repeat 1 and 2 for the next 40 minutes. My knees hurt and my back hurt from doing this. I don't know if I recommend this technique to anyone unless you are desperate. My advice: use the washing machine! Also note that I didn't use any salt or detergent because I was lazy. Good thing it turned out okay!

After 40 minutes, I let all the water drain. Then I added cold water and swished, swirled, and soaked the crinny for another 5-10 minutes. I repeated this process.

Finally, I hung it up to dry overnight. And today, it is so beautiful!

I cannot wait to wear this under my wedding gown!

Here it is next to a pure white crinoline.

My next project is to dye it purple... this time, in the washing machine.

Now... to clean this bathtub. Gah! I realized I didn't have any bleach =( I also realized I didn't have a scrubbing brush. So, I jumped in there, armed with an old toothbrush and shampoo. Nope, didn't work. And I got a battle scar from trying to stand up with the bathtub faucet right on my back... OUCH. Dejected, I ended up just filling the bathtub with hot water and pouring in a whole bunch of dial soap. I let it sit overnight like that. It was a little bit better, but I still must go out and buy some bleach. Blah.

Today's Lesson: Ladies, use the washing machine to dye your crinnies, NOT your bathtub. Unless you are truly desperate, have bleach, and a scrubber. In that case, it is totally worth it. Just don't hit the bathtub faucet with your back.

Did anyone else dye their crinoline?