Overdyed Rug D.I.Y

Remember this post on overdyed rugs? I mentioned how I'm loving these vibrant up-cycled dyed rug trend and decided to give it a go myself... minus the harsh chemicals and enormous price tags.
 Here is how I went!

And here's how I did it... it was super-easy if a little messy.

 

As I liked the low-pile look of the old overdyed kilim rugs I began by flipping my rug over to reveal the back. As well as replicating that low-pile look this also exposed the warp of the rug (the cotton threads my rug was woven into). 

I then ditched any thought of stripping the dye from my rug (too messy, too many chemicals) and decided to go straight ahead with applying a colour OVER THE TOP of the original design.

Here's how:

1. Mix a custom colour using water based screen printing inks. I used Permaset brand. To make the mixture even and smooth give it a zap with a handheld blender. 

2. Pour your colour into a spray bottle and add equal amounts water. Shake with vigour.

Spray an even layer onto the rug, I needed 4 bottle-fulls of ink to completely cover my rug.

3. Allow to dry and fix by ironing the rug with a hot iron. Place a teatowel between the rug and iron to avoid scorching.

Overdyed rug inspiration

I have been shopping for a new rug for my living room for a little while, I'm finding it tricky to find the right rug because of two reasons. Firstly that I'm cheap, and secondly that I'm picky. This means that finding an inexpensive, awesome rug isn't proving easy.
Whilst searching online for interesting rugs I came across these overdyed rugs.

Image borrowed from decor8

These highly saturated rugs are old Persian style rugs, bleached and then re-dyed in vibrant hues. A very clever way to sell a rug that has seen better days, and let me tell you, these babies aren't cheap.

Although I would like to think that my creative ways are purely inspired by the joy of making, truthfully however, my thrifty tendencies are a huge motivating factor in undertaking projects. I happen to have a Persian style rug of my own currently covering the floor of my living area and it's looking more than a little worse for wear (I originally found it in the barn at my old house).

Image from decor8

I have been researching techniques on dying  rugs and it sounds like a tricky process. Both stripping the original colour and then re-dying sounds like an involved and fairly hit and miss project. The success of both steps hinge on the materials from which the rug is made and I have no idea if my carpet is a wool or synthetic blend But I'm feeling brave and have nothing to lose, I'm throwing caution to the wind, I'm entering uncharted territories and have begun developing my own technique instead!

Wish me luck, I'm going to need it!

X Steph