I’ve had it. That’s it. Forget about it. I love gradients… I’ve tried not to, but I do. Since Prada brought them into the forefront AW07, gradients have been peeking into fashion conversations. Style Alchemy posted this lovely pic that’s been haunting me for ages. H&M even did a gradient sweater. But when I saw Christian Lacroix’s Spring Couture show… I just knew I had to have gradient tights.
Now finding gradient tighs were one thing. There’s a pair on Ooga Booga for *ahem* $93. After my Spanx busted I vowed never to buy expensive tights…. so that was out. And why are they so hard to find?
On my regular trip to the supermarket, I picked up a box of purple dye (its usually by the laundry powder) salt, and some l’eggs pantyhose… and this is what I ended up doing it dip dyeing the pantyhose to make my own gradient tights. They are actually more versatile than I thought… they’re easy to make, cheap and fun… maybe I should open my own gradient tights shoppe?
Anyway, here’s how to do it:
Materials: Box of Rit Dye, salt, detergent, pantyhose (light colored, or flesh color is fine).
1. Mix your dye bath… I usually use my mop bucket in the shower.
2. Rinse & wring your panyhose, the gradient will be easier to create if the material is damp.
3. Dip the dampened pantyhose into the dye bath, don’t submerge them in the dye, but dip half way or or however you would like to have colored.
4. Hang the pantyhose in the shower for an hour or so, maybe two… this will allow gravity to pull the dye to the bottom creating the gradient.
5. Rinse the excess dye, and hang dry.
Then you’re done!
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seriously.. I’m sure she said “done” instead of “did” on purpose.
hannah… you are a lot smarter than some others who left some ‘helpful’ comments…
i just thought the price of gradient tights was ridiculous being that they are so simple that, anyone, even poor grammarians, can make.
usually i don’t make comments, but I HAD TO this time, these hose are sooo friggin cute!!! My daughter and I are gonna have a blast dying together;)) i think this may be fun for her 14th b-day slumber party too, maybe a lil messy, but i bet all the girls would love it. this is a great idea, that has sparked tons of creativity within. thanks, you actually made my day;)
Currently dripping as we speak…about how long does it take before the fact it is gradient-ing shows? Mine look like thing high socks!
I’m using the Dylon Multipurpose (only one in the shop) and I used half a tin. I’ve a sneaking suspicion these will be intense vs gentle gradients a la CL show!
oh dear..
i think it’s important to rinse the tights before dip dyeing, and i tried experimenting in dipping until i got what i wanted.
The Dylon Multipurpose has to be heated, so it was a dash from stove to bathtub affair…I did rinse them first – it may be the nature of the weave didn’t encourage dye travel…who knows! The first ones I ended up double dipping – 2/3 one colour, 1/3 another (the gradient being non-existant). The next, I found hanging by the toes to let the dye run worked better, but still not quite there. If I had a spray bottle I would spritz, as I found just pouring water got the dye moving very quickly!
Conclusion – Not particularly effective with the Dylon, but still lots of mess and colourful fun.
That reminded me when I was in high school and dip-dyed my shoe laces
I forgot fashion with a touch of do-it-yourself could be so much fun! Especially when the results are indeed great!
Thanks for sharing!
I am necessary wish to find
So Maggie noted that RIT dye works better with cotton because it holds the dye better, but maybe you wouldn’t want it to hold as well so that the dye would drip down while drying to create the gradient effect? Has anyone tried this with cotton tights?
great idea! i must try this =) thanks!
do you think this could work just as well on a sweater or Tshirt as it did on the tights?
oh yes, it can work on anything as long as the fabric type works with the dye, you can find out from the box.
I just tried this and I found that with the dye I used (Dylon) I have to repeat the process for the color to be as intense as I want it. Otherwise it went well and I can’t wait to wear my new awesome pantyhose! Thanks for a great tip!
I’m a little late to the party, but I wanted you to know that a post about this is going up at diylife.com in about two and a half hours.
The only thing I figured out, is that you will have a headache after reading this unreal stuff. Nothing interesting!
i love the idea!:) thank you so much for posting this. i have a question though, what’s the salt for?:)
I didn’t think much of the idea, but your pictures are really cute. I’m going to try a long t-shirt too…would be cute.
Very well done! They came out great.
that’s awesome i’m gonna try it!
I’m really crazy about this tsumori chisato tights…
But where can I buy this tights? Maybe you know something that can help me? I’m obsessed
That purple color came out awesome! Very cute. Great job, and thanks for sharing.
The salt helps set the dye so it won’t wash out as easily.
Rit dye site with instructions for ombre dying a T-Shirt.
http://www.ritdye.com/Ombre+or+Shadow+Dyeing.37.lasso
Just FYI, looks like someone decided to present your work as their own: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/623081/diy_how_to_make_your_own_gradient_dyed.html
Hey,
If you love colour and love tights, check out http://www.lovecolour-lovetights.com
xx
Genius darling… absolutely genius! I’ve done this on all types of fabric, never thought of nylons! Definitely trying this for the holiday’s! How fun! Thanks for sharing your marvelous talents!
Brilliant!
you did them yourself….. you didnt done them
ugh. you genius you. I love you.
OH MY!! THOSE ARE EXTREMELY BEAUTIFUL. I WISH I CAN DO THIS
Hi!
Thanks for sharing this. I’ll send my readers to your blog entry.
–
Sincerely, and with thanks,
Eugene T.S. Wong
My MySpace Blog Entry Of Your Blog Entry
If people want to do this a lot, then I suggest that you buy hosiery in bulk.
Does anybody know if we can reuse the dye?
So, I know this is a relatively old post but I still LOVE these hose. I just tried my own, but the dye pretty much just dripped off, and what was left washed off when I tried to rinse. Any suggestions? What kind of hose did you use? Were they just the regular l’eggs?
Those are absolutely fab, I love them! Time to go make a pair. And I love the dress they’re worn with!
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What a cute idea! I will have to try that out, never seen anything like it and I am a big tights fan. These are some of my favorite tights: http://tinyurl.com/yhbxp8a
Hey everyone, now that this tutorial has been resurrected by Stumble, do The Coveted a favor and DON’T click the plagiarized link in the comments. Associated Content pays their writers for entries, and if you click it to compare, the thief will make a little bit of money on the stolen, poorly paraphrased content. This is a GREAT tutorial, let’s try to stamp out the liars and help truly creative people like the ones who write here!
That’s such a smart idea! There are all ways you can pair up trendy tights with your outfit and make it look fashionable and hip instantly!
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Omg! Love these. I am going to make these to wear for Christmas
I’m going to try green for the holidays.
You mentioned detergent for the materials needed, but when do you use it? To wash the panyhose afterward?
Yes, The tip is innovative and a money saver. The results are super that is for sure. But, showing them off with those beautiful legs is a great selling point too!
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