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I've been doing this for years. I've never dyed Aida but don't see why it wouldn't work. I use plain cream colored linen from your basic craft store, prepackaged, nothing special about it. I don't use salt, vinegar, or allow the linen to sit. I don't avoid any of it, just have never bothered.

You can also mix colors. I created a gorgeous plum by mixing red and blue.

1. Fill sink about 1/3 with hot water.
2. Add in about a tablespoon of Rit dye and stir well.
3. Rinse linen in running water to soften and ready for dye.
4. Stir dye water again then put linen into water and swish around.
5. Pull linen out, squeeze out excess, rinse in clean water, and check for color.
6. Add more dye if you want a stronger color, mix very well, and dip linen again.
7. Rinse linen and squeeze out excess water. Hang to dry and iron when dry.
8. Wrinkles are difficult to get out. I've never tried it because I keep forgetting, but it'd probably work best to iron while the linen is still pretty damp.

Christy
Completed: "Proud Peacock," Chatelaine freebie
WIP: Ewe & Eye & Friends "Primitive Lady"

thanks so much--definitely will have to try this out soon

Thanks, sounds like fun. I've dyed natural wool yarn before the dyes I have won't work with cotton/linen. Vinegar is definitely needed with the wool, I wonder why you don't need it for cotton? You don't have any trouble with the fabric bleeding afterward?

Tia wrote:Thanks, sounds like fun. I've dyed natural wool yarn before the dyes I have won't work with cotton/linen. Vinegar is definitely needed with the wool, I wonder why you don't need it for cotton? You don't have any trouble with the fabric bleeding afterward?

No, but I've never had to wash anything or gotten it wet. Rit dye doesn't bleed off any clothing I've dyed either even with its first wash so I suspect it'd be just fine.

A very dark, strong color may bleed. I don't know. It'd be best to test a small piece.

Christy

I have never dyed fabric for any reason, but have recently been thinking about it. I have one local xstitch store, but it isn't exactly handy for me. I have had to depend on Hobby Lobby, Michael's and Hancock Fabrics to build a small basic stash. However, I see so many gorgeous colors being used here on the forum, I've thought of dye. I have a lot of white and cream Aida, so I think I'll give it a try!