Dyeing Seam Binding

I just love making books. . .mini-albums for photos, journals, books from old books, you name it, I love it!  Even though I do love making books (did I already say that?), I think the embellishing is my favorite part.  Ribbon is my go to embellishment every time and even though I have way too much ribbon, I never seem to have the right color.

Solution:  Just pull out the Rit ® Dye, plastic bowls, scissors, and LOTS of white seam binding.  I use Hug Snug Seam Binding by Lawrence Schiff Silk Mills, Inc.  I order mine from Amazon.  It grabs the dye and I can custom dye my seam binding to match my projects.

Let’s dye some seam binding! 

What you need: 

1.     Cut off several yards of seam binding for each color of dye that you want to use.

2.   Fill each of the plastic bowls (not too full) with hot water, add dye color (I eyeball it and test the color on a paper towel).

Stirring to mix the dye and add your seam binding.

4.   Microwave on high for about 25 seconds.  Don’t heat too much as you might set your seam binding on fire!

5.   Remove from microwave being careful not to burn your fingers and rinse with cold water until water is clear.

6.   Pat dry with paper towel.  Do not worry if some color bleeds onto the paper towel as when the seam binding is dry the color is permanent!

7.   Dry.  I like to pin mine to clothes hangers and air dry on my porch.

Now this is what you have!  Isn’t it beautiful?  Looks just like little desserts.

Roll onto “spools”.  I made mine from cardstock cut t 4-1/4” by 3 ½”, cut small slits at top and bottom and fold back the middle section, punch a hole in the top and hang onto a ring.

Or you can just put your seam binding in storage bags, glassine bags, plastic containers, etc.  I just love looking at mine hanging in my studio.

Okay, here are some small books I made and then embellished with my dyed seam binding.

And more books that I have made.  I will do a tutorial on how I made these later.

While I had my dye out I thought I would try 2-color dyeing.  This is what I got.  Not what I had in mind, but still cute, nonetheless.

And I had some leftover beet juice (we like the beet pickles) so I threw a scrap into it.  The result was a light pink.

Have a wonderful day!

“Breathe in inspiration and trust yourself!”