How do you dye with Tea?

[.:Becca:.]

I saw this in a previous post, and I was wondering how you would do it? Do I microwave it? Just let it soak? What kind of tea should I use?
TIA! :mwah

[abigailvr]

I am going to do it soon as well. I'll be lurking to see what answers you get! :)

[margaretcraye]

I dyed 'Fishermans' with coffee before to use for a waldorf doll's hair. I just brewed a pot of coffee, dumped it into a pot on the stove, added the 'glug' of vinegar, and cooked it at a simmer for about 30 minutes..... Ya know.....the typical instructions for dying anything.

It came out a nice warm brown color.

I guess you would just add as much tea or coffee to turn the water whatever hue you were trying to achieve.

HTH, Margie

[margaretcraye]

Like kool-aid, I didn't worry about safety and just used a pot that is occasionally used to cook spagetti. (i.e. you need to worry when not using food safe dyes like acid dyes or procion, etc.)

But I did splurge a while ago and now have the old stuff for dying and some new fancy replacement cookware! ANy excuse to go shopping!

[CraftyMommaOf2]

Oh, I love tea staining! I take a container (corning ware usually) and place my tea bags in it. To get a nice goldeny-brown I usually use about 15 bags per 3 oz or so of yarn. I put the kettle on until it boils and pour it over the tea bags. Let them steep for at least 5-10 mins and then put the yarn in. The yarn should have been soaked in water and vinegar already. I let it soak for a bit, moving it around. Then I nuke it in the microwave for 2 mins, rest for a few mins and repeat 2 more times. Same with coffee, but coffee gives you a darker color. :love

[.:Becca:.]

Thank you guys SOOOo much! I was wondering how I would get a brown color without going to acid dyes.

Thanks! :D