While nature provides many flowers in a wide variety of colors, some of the brilliantly colored flowers that are seen at weddings, in florists' shops, and in high-quality images in magazines are sometimes dyed.With a few different dying methods, you can make the perfect bloom of your choice at home.
Step 1: Pick your blooms.
The process of dying fresh flowers involves adding a color to water and waiting for the flowers to absorb it.Light-colored flowers are best for absorbing the dye.There are many pale colored flowers that you can try, including roses, daises, orchids, and Queen Anne's lace.
Step 2: Pick your colors.
Decide what colors you want.Blending liquid food colors can give you what you want.You can mix yellow, red, green, and blue in food color sets to make other colors.You can also use powdered floral absorption dyes.
Step 3: Prepare the colored water.
To submere the stems, fill a vase with warm water.The flower food and dye should be in the water.The more dye you add, the more vibrant the flowers will be, but the less dye is needed.
Step 4: Take care of your flowers.
You will need to cut the stems before you put the flowers in the water.At a 45 degree angle, use a pair of gardening shears or sharp scissors to cut off an inch or two from the stem.Remove any leaves that you don't want.The time it takes your flowers to change color will be shortened by this.You can leave your flowers without water for a few hours after you pick them.Once you cut the stems and put them in a dye solution they will absorb the color very quickly.
Step 5: Wait and place your flowers in the water.
The color won't show up in the flower petals immediately, but it will take a while.It could take up to 6 hours for a flower to be nicely dyed.The more intense the color, the longer you leave the flowers.
Step 6: The flowers need to be removed from the solution.
Place the stems in a vase with fresh warm water and flower food.Fresh flower food should be added to the vase at least every other day to keep the flowers fresh.The flowers will eventually die and the color will remain in them.
Step 7: Purchase dip-dye.
Specialty florist dip dye is required for dip dying fresh flowers.It is available online and from a wholesale florist.Your florist can order this for you.You can mix dyes to get the right color.
Step 8: Pick your flowers.
Because you will be coating the outside of the flower petals with dye instead of having them absorb it, you can use nearly any color and species of flower.White/pale flowers will have a bright, bold hue while darker colors will end up being a rich, dark hue.Each of the petals will have easy access to the dye if you choose flowers that are fully in bloom.Red flowers dipped in purple dye will end up being a dark plum color if you start with dark blooms.
Step 9: Prepare your dye.
Any container with a wide brim will work if you put your dye in it.Adding alcohol to your dye mix will make your color more subdued.To prevent splatters and drops from staining your workspace, place newspaper or a drop cloth under the container.
Step 10: The flowers need to be dipped in the dye.
The bud should be facing down if you hold a single bloom upside-down.Hold the flower in the dye for a few seconds to make sure the petals are exposed to it.Remove the flower from the dye and rinse it in fresh water.If you shake the flower, you will end up with dye stains on yourself and your work area.
Step 11: The flowers should be placed in a vase of warm water.
When the vase is dry to touch, put it out of the way.If you don't dry the flowers completely before handling them, the dye will transfer to your hands, clothes, and furniture and cause a stain.
Step 12: You should repeat the process.
Follow the steps for each flower until they have been dyed.You can let the flowers dry for a bolder hue if they aren't as dark as you wanted.
Step 13: Purchase floral spray dye.
Similar to spray paint, floral spray dye is made so that it won't kill fresh flowers and stick to flower petals.It is safe to use floral spray dye on fresh and dried flowers.It can get messy if you spray paint a bouquet of flowers.
Step 14: Pick your flowers.
The color of the flower petals will be completely covered by spray dye when applied.You can use any color, shape, or species of flower you want.
Step 15: Your workspace should be set up.
Setting up a special area to do spray dye work is important because it is messy.Put down a drop cloth or newspaper when you move into a well-ventilated space.You don't mind getting a bit dirty and stained if you put on rubber gloves and old clothes.
Step 16: The spray dye should be prepared.
Shake the can of spray dye well when the lid is still on.To align the black dot with the direction you want to spray, remove the cap and turn the nozzle.
Step 17: You can spray the flowers.
The bud is facing away from you if you hold the flowers up individually.You can hold the spray dye 15 inches away from the flower bud with your other hand.Hold the nozzle down and turn the flower as you spray it evenly.When spraying the flower, make sure it is completely covered with paint.
Step 18: To dry the flower, set it aside.
Put the flower in a container that will hold it upright.Depending on the temperature and humidity, the dye will take 3-6 hours to dry.If you touch the flowers before they are dried, the dye will be on your hands and clothes.Put the flowers in a room that is warm and dry.
Step 19: The process is repeated on the remaining flowers.
Continue working through your bouquet, spraying each flower individually and then putting it in a vase to dry.If you don't like the density of the color, you can add multiple coats of dye to the flowers.
Step 20: Pick the fabric dye.
Fresh flowers won't be ruined by fabric dye because it involves boiling water and harsh chemicals.If you have dried flowers that you want to liven up, you can use fabric dye to do it.All powder and liquid fabric dyes use the same process of mixing the dye with water.You can choose how dark or light your flowers are based on how long you leave them in the dye.
Step 21: Pick your dried flowers.
It's more difficult to dye flowers that are brown.Dark color flowers will be too dark to dye effectively, so you should look for light-colored flowers.The best flowers for this are white, cream, and light blue.hydrangeas, baby's breath, and roses are some of the popular dried flowers.You need to have your flowers dried for at least 2 weeks prior to dying them.Even when dyed, flowers that are damaged or discolored will still show.
Step 22: Prepare your dye.
The instructions for each brand of dye will be slightly different, but they will involve mixing the packaged dye with boiling water.Drop cloths or newspapers should be set up in the work area to avoid getting dye on your clothes.
Step 23: The flowers should be dipped into the dye.
The bloom should be pointed downwards if you hold a single dried flower by the stem.Put the flower in the dye and hold it for a short time.If you like the hue, remove it completely.When you reach the desired color, put the flower back in the dye.
Step 24: The flowers should be hung to dry.
You can hang your flowers upside down on a drying rack or clothesline.If you want to use them as decorations, leave them in a warm, dry room for at least 24 hours.
Step 25: Pick out your supplies.
Silk flowers cannot be dyed using fabric dye.Food coloring is not permanent and will likely rinse off the fabric if you try it.Silk flowers dying with paint have been the most successful.You will need a tube of paint, a container of gel medium, and water.
Step 26: Take care of your flowers.
Depending on the type of silk flower you use, you may need to prepare them a bit.If your flower has a stamen in the center, you need to use painters tape to keep it from being dyed.Painters tape should be used to block off anything that you don't want colored.
Step 27: Make your own dye.
To make the dye for your silk flowers, mix 2 parts acrylic paint with 1 part gel medium, use a stir stick or spoon to fully incorporate this, and then add a small amount of water to thin it down.The amount of water you add to the mixture depends on how bright you want the dye to be.When you are done, put the dye in a wide-brimmed bowl or container and place newspapers around it to prevent leaks.
Step 28: You can dye your flowers.
Hold a single flower in the dye and make sure it is completely covered in color.Carefully lift it out of the dye and place it on the newspapers.To remove the excess dye, use a paper towel.The flower should be dried on the newspaper for a few hours.
Step 29: You should repeat the process.
Use the aforementioned methods to die your flowers.Remove any painters tape you might have applied after they have dried for a few hours.