DIY question - dyeing a straw hat?

[cupcake_goth]

Okay LJ Hivemind, help me out here. I found a place that sells woven straw versions of my usual top hat. A straw version would be a very clever thing for me to have for whenever summer gets here and the weather turns unfriendly to me. However, the woven straw top hats are, well, straw colored. Which, yes, very steampunk-esque, but I'm not that steampunk, not to mention it would look odd with my black/b&w stripey/cupcake pink wardrobe.

So! I would need to dye it. Without damaging the shape. My first thought was spray-paint, but I suspect that would make the straw less breathable, and that's the whole point behind contemplating a straw top hat. Carefully painting it by hand with RIT mixed with alcohol? Carefully painting it with acrylic paint? I dunno. Which is why I'm turning to the hivemind for suggestions.

(alexiarnps, I'm especially looking at you for suggestions.)

Comments

[tzaddi-93.livejournal.com]

How about applying your dye with a spray bottle?

[mahariel.livejournal.com]

Definitely avoid regular spray paint, as it will flake off - speaking from experience here, as I bought a hat at a yard sale once that had been treated so, and I ended up with lots of little black flecks on EVERYTHING

I'd think a homemade spray of dye would work, but the probably mess quotient is high

[semy-of-pearls.livejournal.com]

Another possibility is rather than dye it, paint the straw hat. I bought a painted from Truly Victorian and it has held up remarkably in the several years I've had it.

Painted Hats

[ladyjestocost.livejournal.com]

Watercolor, or watered-down acrylic? I have a straw hat with a design painted in watercolor - the paint has definitely lasted. The coverage is pretty thin, though.

[paillettes.livejournal.com]

i once dyed a straw hat with acid dye, but it was a long time ago, and i can't remember if i dyed it before or after shaping it (possibly before, as it was for a millinery class). looking at dye information, it's possible that procion dye is a better choice.

regardless, there are fabric paints that are more like dye than like paint (i.e. will soak into the fibers instead of sitting on top) and one of those might work well. you may have to steam set it though.

the best dye and fabric paint resource that i know of is http://dharmatrading.com -- both to buy the stuff and for instructions on how to use it.

[ungelic-is-us.livejournal.com]

A lurker here--I hope you don't mind if I leave a suggestion. I've dyed baskets with wood stain before--what about a black stain? Depending on the number of layers of stain, it won't be too stiffening, and you can get stains that are waterproof.

[domestinatrix.livejournal.com]

Real straw, not plastic? I used to dye satin point shoes that would become ruined if they got too wet by moistening Rit dye powder with rubbing alcohol and applying it with a paint brush. it's been a long time since i've done this but i seem to remember that the best technique was to just dip the brush into alcohol to use as little as possible and then dip it in some powder.

[poetry-lady.livejournal.com]

The spray bottle with a dye is actually a good idea; just either do it outside, or set up a "booth" with a couple tarps and some sort of ventilation (I use my air cleaner and have the back door open for my spray-painting booth).

Another thing to consider if you go that route is using something to help the shape be held internally. Heavy-duty hardboard, foam, a taped-shape of those packing "air-bags" (you know the ones, the clear plastic bags filled with air). You could use packing/duct tape to make the mass resemble the inside shape of the hat--and the good thing about those would be they're more rigid than cardboard, and taped like that, less giving than foam.

Third thing to do--find something that is a similar straw at Value Village, etc., that you can test on. That way, you can perfect the amount of dye, the application method, and any necessary shaping (or discover you don't need shaping). I always try to do a "mock-up" of things like this, to practice my technique, and if I'm making it up as I go along, to do proof-of-concept testing.

Good luck! I think it's a SMASHING idea. I have straw hats for the summer--but because my wardrobe is a bit more... ecclectic... I have them in various colors ("fake" straw) & shades of straw. :) They're nice for when you want the style of the hat, but not the heat.

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

Another suggestion, probably best tried on a dollar store straw hat first --what about Kiwi liquid shoe polish in the sponge applicator bottle? I know it stains things VERY effectively.

[loree.livejournal.com]

I found a page on cleaning and renovating vintage millinery (http://vintagesewing.info/1930s/30-mp/mp-20-reno.html), specifically straw hats.

[noxenlux.livejournal.com]

cover it with light weight fabric instead?

That's what I'd do..

Then again, I don't like straw.

[hackerguitar.livejournal.com]

try a small airbrush or spray bottle with a metal-acid or aniline dye stain (http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/thirdproducts.asp?CategoryName=Dyes&NameProdHeader=Aniline+Dyes+Alcohol+Soluble)....that will dye deeper than just the surface layer and be very colorfast. If you use the alcohol-based dye, it also won't rub off after it dries.

[lilmartini.livejournal.com]

straw is very wood like. I've dyed some straw baskets by using wood stain. I know they make colored wood stain now so you can try that.

[alexiarnps.livejournal.com]

hand painted with acrylic
Mixed with GAC900. I have everything, just being it to snb.

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

Wouldn't that make the hat non-porous, so that there would be no airflow? Because it seems to me that the acrylic mixed with GAC900 would make a kick-ass sealant/waterproofing mix. Am I confused?

[alexiarnps.livejournal.com]

You can keep the airflow of organza if you apply acrylic correctly. The GAC 900 keeps the paint flexible so it won't chip.

[trystbat.livejournal.com]

I can swear labricoleuse has done this for a show -- maybe her archives would have tips?

Also, what's your hat source? :-)

[mina5643.livejournal.com]

I almost say leave it, but dress it up with a couple black feathers and some things. Why? Because then it'll be lighter colored and reflect the light easier.

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

I considered that approach, but the pale gold straw will clash with damn near everything in my wardrobe.

(As an aside, I love your icon! Edward Cullen is a sissy vampire indeed!) :)

[mina5643.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I love this icon. He's a sparkly vampire too. ;] what was your opinion of those novels?

Have you thought about tying something like a black stripey ribbon (say about an inch or so wide) around the body of the hat? I dunno. I keep on thinking the idea will work, but it may be like Hitler invading Russia*.

*(props if you get my reference, and of course no offense intended)

[wbyonder.livejournal.com]

Design Master spray paint is made just for fabrics. It breathes, adheres to almost anything, and is fairly opaque. Just don't breath the vapors!

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

So, use it outside, and wear a basic mask? I don't need a heavy-duty ventilator or anything?

[wbyonder.livejournal.com]

Yes, use it outside. It has some particularly nasty vapors that you should avoid breathing. Outdoors will be adequate ventilation.

[its-crabapple.livejournal.com]

Straw for basket weaving is dyed. Not certain with what... You might want to consider Ink?

My vote is the spray bottle of dye.

[mina5643.livejournal.com]

Ink would be interesting, if she could create a spray-wash effect.

sale you may like ...

[jaborwhalky.livejournal.com]

Look stuff on sale for your man...or you if you get it in a small..
http://www.internationalmale.com
Things like this
http://www.internationalmale.com/product.asp?product=H858LBAzz&dept%5Fid=10225&An=101&A=&Au=RollupKey
With ship its 40 odd bucks..
You could dye the coat any color you could have a long pink coat!

I have no clue why they put so many things on sale on that site but I do not its a good site to buy from as all my pals who have gotten stuff from them in the past like it.