Making Old Things New
I’ve been dying indigo shibori flour sack towels for Seeds & Sundries, and while I had an indigo vat going, I decided to try to give new life to an old L.L. Bean Boat & Tote bag. It worked beautifully. These bags last forever, but being natural colored canvas, they stain and start looking a little rough around the edges. I simply dipped mine into the indigo vat twice, then rinsed and washed (by hand). The handles were originally black. I also have another one with pink handles (you can see it in the background) that I’m doing to dye and a few larger ones as well.
I used the same indigo kit that I used last summer with my nieces, this one from Jacquard is a great one for beginners. While you can (and I have) purchased the indigo supplies separately from Pro Chemical & Dye, this kit is a great way to get started. Overall, I’d call this project a success. I should have taken before photos so you can see just how dingy and dirty the original bag was. Perhaps I’ll remember when I do the next few.
What fun projects have you been doing lately? Have you been trying to find ways to make old things new again?
What a great idea! I have numerous natural canvas bags I’ve picked up at our local swap-shack; most are dingy and well-past their “new” stage, but have plenty of life left in them. This sounds like the perfect way to make them take-out-in-public nice again :)
to Lorna's comment
I love these! I have lots of old, shabby looking, bags and should give this a try!
to Joan Ray's comment
Save them, I have supplies to make a really big indigo vat this summer (I want to try dying a rug) and you can bring them up and dip them in.
to Susy's comment
Does the indigo bleed at all? Like if I took the bag to the beach and put some wet clothes or what not in the bag?
to Foy's comment
If washed and rinsed well it doesn’t, or at least I haven’t had experience with it. I alway wash my indigo dyed projects a few times in hot water with some Dawn dishsoap. That works for me and I haven’t had any trouble with bleeding.
to Susy's comment