Ageing/Dirty Fabric?

Right you awesome crafty people, I need your help.

I'm making a pirate outfit and following Jack Sparrow's costume. He has the white and red scarf/material around his waist. I've got the long bit of material and painted red stripes on but just realised I wanted to soak it in tea first to give it an aging look (Pirates are the cleanest of people I'm sure Tongue). If I do that now the red paint will come out and don't have the paint/patience to do it again.

How do you recommend ageing/dirtying the fabric? Some people have said leave it in the sun but I live in a flat with no garden only windows that I'm not allowed to hang stuff out of (petty I know). What do you guys suggest?!

Any help much appreciated! Thank yoooou Happy

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8 replies since 30th April 2010 • Last reply 30th April 2010

Reply #1:

If it's possible in your neighborhood: Drag the fabric through the dirt. To make it very dirty, wait untill there was a rainy day and than drag it through the mud. Just let the fabric dry inside your house and rub off the excess dirt.

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Reply #2:

I haven't tested this...but I have an idea.

Take some damp coffee grounds and rub them into the fabric with a stiff brush. Let me know if it works!

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Reply #3:

Hubby is up for the muddy puddle suggestion.For a real aged look you try burning it a bit and rubbing in charred bits.
Burn a brown paper bag damped to slow burn then rub it into fabric.Coffee would smell nicer.

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Reply #4:

Run over it with a car. We use to use motorbikes to soften our leather jackets.....lol
@Debs......why is it I keep taking trips down memory lane......laughing loudly at myself here Happy

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Reply #5:

Thanks so much for all the suggestions guys! I live in a city center so might be a little difficult to find some mud, unless I go and dunk my material in the posh flower beds HAHA. No. Well I'm off to my parents this weekend and they have mud! Lol. But the coffee idea does sounds good too. I'll give that one a go first, and will definitely let you know how it goes.

Thank Yoou!!

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Reply #6:

Worked great! Thanks so much Debs.

Plus thanks to you all for the suggestions!!

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Reply #7:

I agree on the coffee idea. Happy

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Reply #8:

Always good to learn new tricks and ENJOY Happy

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