Can I dye a baby sling??

[darlin']

Sorry for the random question...

But was wondering if anyone has any experience with dyeing fabrics and could offer advice.

I have a Close Baby sling which I adore but I have really gone off the colour (it's olive green) and desperately want to have it in charcoal grey/black instead! I know it really doesn't matter, but it must be something to do with the nesting stage I'm at (4 weeks 'til number 2!) because I keep thinking how lovely it would be if I could just dye it. But knowing me I would completely ruin it and then I wouldn't be able to use it at all! It is currently dyed using some sort of organic dye and the material is stretchy organic cotton.

Any ideas of a good dye? Or should I just leave it well alone?!

Thanks and sorry for randomness!

[hanstands]

Hiya

I have dyed two slings successfully using the Dylon Dyes and have plans for more very soon. I just put them in the washer and follow instructions. I guess its always a risk dyeing as its hard to tell the strength of colour you will get esp if its over another colour - but quite an exciting risk - I would say listen to your intuition and go for it. If you love your sling you will use it more often and enjoy using it. I dyed my Ergo purple and loved it so much more than the original colours. I think they cost a fiver a pack.

[candj]

Hi darlin'

Sorry, I don't have experience with dying slings, per se, but have in the past dyed fabrics. I'd say that if it's stretchy, it would mean that the fabric has some kind of elastin in it which may or may not be great for a dye to take. Cotton alone is perfectly fine and easy to dye but any kind of synthetic material becomes a bit more difficult. Although you could keep dying it until it becomes dark grey or black if the fabric didn't take the first time.

Hope that helps!?

[ludoscotts]

also bear in mind that some fabrics will dye but some threats dont so you may be left with a grey sling but green stitching but that might look very funky!

[SparkyUK]

I have the same sling and also love it. I agree with the other posters though that the material or threads might not take to the dye well, though it is 100% cotton, so it might do very well. Perhaps you could trim one end and try dyeing that first as a tester? Or, I never really used the pouch thing - thought I might with a newborn for extra support - but you could try that as your tester?

Alternatively, you could try contacting customer service. I don't know if they are particularily responsive, but worth a shot.

Let us know if you decide to take the plung and how it turns out. I personally really like the green but I think my husband would have liked something a bit more masculine so I'm tempted to dye it as well!

[darlin']

Thanks everyone! Really helpful advice. I hadn't considered that parts of it might not take the dye- it would look awful wouldn't it?! But I think you are right SparkyUk, I could cut a bit from those long bands of extra material and try it out first. What a simple and clever solution!

Thanks very much- I will look up the Dylon (thanks Hanstans) and let you know if it works!

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