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How to Make a Dyed Silk Scarf

Dyed silk scarfs can cost many hundreds of dollars, especially if they are made by well-established designers. Instead of purchasing a scarf that was created by someone else, consider making your own colorful scarf with some dyes. By using the right silk and dyes, you can achieve the same quality as high-end designers for a fraction of the price. This way, you can either create the scarves for yourself or for your friends as gifts.

Things You'll Need

Mild detergent
Silk
Newspaper
Dyes
Make-up sponge
Blow dryer
Plastic wrap
Steamer pot
Towel
Iron
Squirt Bottles

Instructions

- 1
  Wash your silk in cool water using a very mild detergent. Do not use scalding hot water or harsh detergent. This will ruin the silk.
- 2
  Place plastic wrap on a clean surface. The wrap should be larger than the scarf's dimensions. Be sure that the plastic has no holes in it because the dyes are difficult to remove from surfaces.
- 3
  Transfer the dyes into squirt bottles. Squirt three to four different colors on the silk. Blend the colors together using a sponge. Reduce the amount of white space on the scarf.
- 4
  Blow dry the scarf to speed up the drying process. If you want it to dry naturally, leave the scarf on the plastic wrap for 24 hours. When it is completely dry, wrap the scarf in a newspaper like an enchilada.
- 5
  Start the steam pot. Make sure there is enough water in the pot. Place the scarf on the steam rack. Do not let it touch the water. Wrap a towel around the top of the pot to capture all the moisture. Steam for 30 minutes at 200 degrees.
- 6
  Rinse in cold water after it has steamed through. Rinse once more in warm water using the mild soap.
- 7
  Place the damp scarf on an ironing board. Iron on high heat for a couple of minutes. Quickly pass over the material without leaving the iron on any one spot for too long. Take special care not to burn the fabric.

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