Sewers and Tailors: Dyeing black pants to cover a faded hem line?

Question

I have a pair of black Audrey pants I got at the Gap this spring. I'd like to lengthen them for fall and winter. There is a generous hem allowance, so I have just enough fabric to take them from capri pant to ciggarette pant. However, the part where the old hem was folded has faded to grey. They've never been pressed, but they have been washed at least 10 times. If I used some Rit dye, so you think it would even out the color or just make the pants beautifully black and the hem line a darker grey?

I'm pretty strapped, so I don's want to spend the money on the dye if it's not going to work.

The pants are 99% cotton, 1% lycra (my new favorite blend). The weight is a cotton duck, almost as heavy as a denim. The location of the current hem falls at the thickest part of my leg, so if I can't lengthen them, I guess I'll shorten them for next spring. I really want to not have any noticable line on the pants. Perhaps I'm asking too much of some fabric dye?

Answer 1

If the grey is just at the point that it was folded at, it's probably worn fibers and not loss of dye that's causing the problem.

Frankly, it's incredibly difficult to get good black with dye, especially with Rit dye and especially a matching black as most of them have a blue, green, red or purple cast. It's almost impossible to guarantee that you'll get a matching black without testing it.

On another note, you might want to check to see if it's possible to press the crease out, lest you go through the pain of fixing the color and still have a crease present.

Answer 2

Rit would work to dye cotton. You probably won't get a perfect match, but may work enough that no one but you will notice.

Here's my suggestion: First, soak your pants in some water to wet them. Squeeze out excess water. Then, whether you use the powder or liquid dye, take a little bit of the dye and mix it with a little hot water in a cup. Recycle one of those plastic drink cups or a jam jar. *Don't use anything you are going to reuse for food.* Then take an old artist's paint brush and paint just the gray faded area and leave it on for about 10 minutes. Make sure you protect the surface you're working on and wear gloves. Then follow the instructions on the package and dye the entire pair of pants.

By painting the faded area first, then then dyeing the whole thing, you'll likely get a more even look. Otherwise, you may end up with a light black at the fold and dark black everywhere else.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Dyeing Pants

Answer 4

Don't have the answer when it comes to using dye on the pants, but you might try a permanent black marker....check it first on a little spot of the grey line, like near the inside leg...and see how it looks....I've tried that on things, and on some it works, and on some you just get a darker grey line.....but you might give it a test and see what happens.....nothing ventured, nothing gained.....

Answer 5

You got the right answer for yourself. Unless you use Rit color remover and start from scratch, you will always have that stripe. Have you given any thought to doing something decorative over the stripe. I don't know your taste, so I can't make a suggestion. Your in the craft section, so you are probably ' crafty '.

Answer 6

I've dyed pants black before when they've faded. It's pretty simple, and the results were good. Rit should work just fine.

Answer 7

I would use a Rub-a-dub laundry marker. That way it won't come out in the wash, and it's meant especially for fabric.
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Answer 8

Wash them on a cold cycle. Dry them by hanging them up. That will minimize the fade.