We have had folks asking about how to stain fabric and dolls so we thought we would post a little (really not to little) tutorial here for those who want to experiment with different staining methods.
Remember there are several ways to stain a doll and several things to stain with. Each person seems to do it differently too. These are the ways I (Sandi with Always Crafty 2 and Shweet Potato Dolls) stain and the products I use id: tea, coffee, walnut ink…
Tea Stain:
You can use any type of tea to stain instant or bag. I like to use tea in bags. You can use all types of tea from regular black tea to blueberry or even gingerbread. Different tea will give your muslin different stain colors. If staining a med stain add 4-5 tea bags to 1 quart of really hot water and let it sit in the water until the water cools. Reach a clean or gloved hand into the water and squeeze the tea bags once the water is med to cool in temp. If your water is not dark enough heat it up and add more tea bags. You can put your stain into mason jars and store in the fridge to use if you have left over. Make sure to mark the jar DOLL STAIN so no one drinks it. Teas like blueberry and gingerbread leave a soft scent to the fabric plus the stain too.
To stain your muslin or fabric (remember fabric will all take different stains differently....Not all muslins take stain the same way and even if the muslin looks the same it might not actually BE the same.)
If you want to stain a nice long piece of muslin before you make your doll, what I do is take a plastic mixing bowl (which I mark STAINING BOWL on the outside) and add your fabric and pour your stain on the fabric. I highly suggest using surgical gloves when staining or your hands and nails will turn the color of your stain...although stained hands are a badge of honor among primitive makers. You want to make sure all the stain gets to all parts of your fabric so get your hands into the bowl and move the fabric around to make sure all parts are getting stain. Leave your fabric in the tea stain bowl for a couple hours or over night.
When you are ready to remove the fabric lift it out over the bowl and sink and wring it out. You can then hang it on a clothes line outside to dry or lay it one a flat spot to dry. If you like the blotchy look leave it wrinkled as you dry it.
Coffee Stain:
I don't do alot of coffee stain as it looks like the walnut ink I like to use. BUT to make up coffee stain this is what I have used in the past and this stain is awesome for extreme primitives especially when it has sat for a few days.
2 Cups Dark Coffee (Hot)
1/4 Cup Vanilla Extract
1/4 Cup Dark Molasses (can leave this out if you don't have it)
Place the above in a glass mason jar (large) and shake up well. You can then use it like you did the tea stain or you can place in a spray bottle and spray away on your dolls or fabric. Remember to dry outside.
Walnut Ink Crystals:
I love this look because you can get it as light or dark as you want simply by the amount of crystals you use. I start with 2 teaspoons of walnut ink crystals in an 8 oz glass of HOT water. Hot water will help them to dissolve. You can add vanilla or fragrance oils but if using oils just a tad will do. YOU can then soak your fabric or spray it on. ADD more or less of the crystals to get the deserved color you want. You can find walnut ink crystals many places. I sell them on my
Always Crafty 2 website, you can also find them on etsy and ebay and sometimes in craft stores.
Methods to dry: Outside is the easiest and here in Texas it doesn't take long to dry. If you live in apartment like I do or when it is not sunny or hot you can always place it in your dryer. NOT REMEMBER YOU JUST STAINED IT SO you have to run a cycle in your drier afterwards with another piece of fabric or something you don't mind getting stained as stain WILL be left in the dryer. First time I dried in the dryer I did not realize this and my hubby's undies were all primed the next time I dried. You can also dry in your oven just turn the temp to about 250 and watch it closely so it doesn't burn. I have also used my microwave to dry fabric but be warned fabric WILL Catch fire in the microwave very quickly. Trust me I know and the smell is not pleasant at all and hard to get out of your home.
You can stain whole pieces of fabric or you can trace your pattern pieces and sew them, cut and turn them right wide out and then stain them. Some folks stain dolls after they are stuffed. I actually do all of the above depending on the doll I am making and also me... I have a tendency to forget things so often I forget to stain until I stuff.
Spicing it up
Now once you made your doll or critter and say you want it to be a little more prim grab the spices out of your kitchen pantry like cinnamon, cloves, allspice etc. Spray your creation with your staining solution lightly and then rub in the spice of your choice. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND WEARING GLOVES FOR THIS! Spice will stain you and they also can cause a reaction on your hands. Then let your creations dry using your drying method. One other word of warning: If you do use a spice or fragrance on your creation you need to add that to your listings if you are selling online and on the tag you include with your creation. Some folks are allergic and this will let them know ahead of time if they can live with your creation.
Remember you can use your stain and spices on this besides fabrics and dolls. I stain wood with my walnut ink crystals and I make a mixture of instant coffee, mod podge and spices and using a sponge brush grubby up plastic fruit and other objects. Make sure you dry them on wax paper and don't place dry creations directly on furniture.
Also use it on paper to make your own primitive cards for the holidays or thank you notes.
Hope this has helped a little...have fun! Soon you will be staining anything you can get your hands on :)
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