Dyeing (or tinting) flax linen or cotton thread with tea

[Mallethead]

One of the simplest methods for dyeing cloth with long-lasting results is using tea. The resuls are machine-washable and the color doesn't run. Another benefit is that the process is easily reversible, just soak the material in a mix of chlorite and water. White cloth will be dyed beige or light reddish brown. What I like best is that its cheap, fast and not as messy as using actual dyes.

I recently tested this method on some bleached 18/3 flax linen thread (and some thick cotton thread for reference) to see what the color looks on some hide.

Instructions:

Start by skeining your thread, as this will allow the tea to soak into the thread evenly. I'd recommend washing the thread with some dishwasher fluid as well.

Make a cup of very strong tea (you can use the cheapest tea available) and mix in some salt, maybe a tablespoon or so. Let simmer for about 5 minutes. You might need more tea depending on how much thread you have.

Moisten the thread (if required) and dump the skein in the tea, making sure it is properly soaked, maybe stir a bit. Let sit for 15 min, stir again. Let sit for another 15 minutes, rinse and let dry.

If you want a deeper color, repeat the above steps. I reused the same tea for each round.

Here are the results of my testing. The leather is russet treated with a heavy dose of olive oil, aged a bit over a year. The beige and burgundy threads shown are both linen (Goldschild 18/3, no 14 and 06).

The image shows the threads undyed, dyed once, dyed twice and dyed three times. As far as I can see, the flax thread's color changed most in the first and second round, and not quite as much on the third round. I like the color, so this method can be useful when I need some thread for a small project, or need a thicker thread and can't wait for shipping. where I live, I have to order most of this stuff online, so being able to dye some white 18/5 is a welcome option.

[ComputerDoctor]

Thanks for the info! If I'm not mistaken, certain teas have been used for leather tanning purposes for a long time.

I drink tea in my office and I keep the last few sips in a plastic cup and use the tea to wet my leather, instead of just water and it doesn't affect the finished product.

I have also used coffee but it can add a very slight discoloration to leather but is easily covered up with dying.

Sam