Monday 7 November 2011

To Dye For



Check out my new purple hand bag. 


 It was a rather mundane shade of white last week. Whilst I love vintage clobber I don't feel the need to treat my clothes like museum pieces. I have no qualms with chopping off hems & sleeves or dyeing something a completely new colour. For me it makes far more sense to make something wearable and work with the rest of my wardrobe. Clothes are for wearing, not for stroking.

1960s psychedelic mini dress (£3.60, eBay), Antique Indian tribal collar (inherited), vintage Ackery of London handbag (50p, flea market)
Fancy trying a home dye job? As promised here's that leather dyeing tutorial for you.


You'll need an old leather bag, rubber gloves, plenty of newspaper, a scouring pad and some leather dye. I don't usually use Tarrago but I fancied a violet handbag and my preferred brand, Dylon, only do navy blue, brown and black.


Gently buff the surface of your bag with white spirit applied with a scouring pad to remove any dirt.
Allow to dry for a few minutes.


Next, using a small brush (provided in the kit), apply the dye to the stitching, handles and any surface scratches of your bag.



Add a few drops of dye to the sponge provided and apply to the rest of your bag's surface in light circular movements.


When the bag is covered put aside and apply a second coat when the first application is fully dry.


You may need up to three coats to reach your desired shade. 
Leather dye can be found at most independent cobblers and haberdashery stores. I pay £3.95 for a kit which is enough to transform a handbag or a pair of shoes. 


Good luck and happy dyeing!

Check out my friend Glee's post on her blog today, it's all about me!
There's also a feature on Gerry's web zine, here.  I'm honoured.

55 comments:

  1. clothes are for wearing not for stroking! couldn't agree more.... i hate the 'keep it for best' mentality! so archaic! x

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  2. Great job;-)
    I love the bag too.
    Think I ought to plan a shopping and dress up day with You;-)

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  3. Thanks for that tutorial, Vix. Your bag looks far better purple than white.

    Keep those tips coming!
    xxx

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  4. oh yes clothes are for wearing! so true, i remeber when i was younger i cut off the sleeves one day of a really expensive jacket cause i thought it would look so much more cool and stylish, but the aunt who gifted the jacket to me almost suffered a heartattack seeing the result haha however it is really the best thing you can do, give unloved clothes a new life, dying it o cutting something off. and i love the darker colour of your bag so much more!
    kiss,mary

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  5. Wow! That dye really did the trick! I need to breathe some new life into a few leather handbags myself, maybe I'll give your tutorial a shot! Thanks for sharing. (also, that paisley dress is THE END, i love it)

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  6. Thanks for this, Vix. Will have to give this a go. There’s a sickly pink bag that’s ripe for a dye job.

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  7. That bag is as sweet as you in this gorgeous mini!!!!! I love the bright colors!!!!! Look at the sleeves, me LOVE!!!!!!! That Indian neck collar is GORGEOUS, whose was it??? Thanks for the tutorial, you make everything look effortless!

    LOVEYOUTOPEICES!!!!!~
    Krista

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  8. Thanks for this - very useful :)

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  9. Thanks for the tutorial. I may try this with a pair of lackluster cream heels.
    I also agree wholeheartedly regarding clothes; be creative. Nothing HAS to be worn the way it was made to he worn. Shorten, dye, turn inside-out, wear evening clothes in the day, and importantly for me - coordinate, by all means, but matching? Forget it!
    You've rescued a bag that would have never been used. The bag would thank you if it could speak!

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  10. never knew about dyeing leather, what a great tutorial - your bag looks fab after that (and it costs pennies to customise something to make it unique!)

    Saying that, I also love that dress, that bag goes perfectly!

    Jules
    http://andsuddenlyisee.wordpress.com
    http://wordshakermag.wordpress.com

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  11. So simple and looks fabulous! Agree with you on the clothes are for wearing but not for stroking, with the exception of cashmere! ;)

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  12. Great idea - I'd never think of dying a handbag! What a great idea!

    You're a clever thing!

    Ali x

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  13. You are forever creative and the outcome finishes off your outfit perfectly!

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  14. Very cool! I never thought of doing this, I'm glad you did. Love the mini on you. -T

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  15. I'll have to try something like this one day. I always see lots of brown vintage bags and I much prefer black... problem solved!

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  16. So much better and much less grubby looking (er, the bag that is, obviously). I see you're looking immaculate, post dye. I bet I'd somehow have got it all over my face, despite my best efforts. Am currently sporting a Mod Podge manicure, I'm as messy as a two year old.

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  17. Good tip! Thanks!!
    The photo of you wearing the rubber gloves gave me a giggle as I saw you still had all your bangles on. Only you!!! Love it!!

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  18. Hi my dear-well done indeed, the soft purple bag looks really lovely and I am going now to check out Glee's blog too xxx

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  19. My gorgeous Vix,you're everywhere!!! And no wonder,you're a star and hugely inspirational!!!
    The interview was fabulous!
    I love how this handbag turned out!Such a yummy shade,and that dye gave great coverage!This outfit toally rocks my sox,I love purple and green together,and that fecking amaaaaazing frock is quite sinilar to one I got at Retropolitan not long ago!Ypu are just SO yumalicious,original and FABULOUS!
    LOVE YOU MOST DESPERATELY!
    Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  20. Wow, great results for somethings that looks remarkably easier than I thought it would be. I want something to dye now. Xx

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  21. Thanks for sharing this tutorial; I love it! You gave a sad little bag a brand new life! I must unearth something to try this on ASAP.

    I agree with your approach to vintage; chop it off, alter it, dye it ~ whatever it takes to make it something you will wear and love. Whether an item is hanging in an archives somewhere or getting worn and loved, it is eventually going to degrade and fall apart. I think that we do better justice to the history of the clothing by wearing it than by hiding it away. Can you tell that this is something I feel passionate about?

    xoxo, Anita

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  22. WOW! I didn't realise you could get dying kits for leather. That's such a great idea Vix. I love how you've got purple tights on with your outfit. Looks fabulous x

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  23. AWESOME! And the perfect solution if you're looking for a bag in a certain color and can never find it! What a clever idea and tutorial.

    And I agree, I'd rather see something altered and worn than to sit in a closet until the end of time!

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  24. Fab tutorial and tips as always Vix.

    I’ve dabbled in the odd bit of home dyeing before, mainly tie die but never have I tried this, I remember the time I tried to collage a pair of shoes with magazine cuttings, it didn’t quite work out. But it sure was fun to do, I guess that’s the beauty of experimenting with customization you never know how it’s quite going to turn out xxx

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  25. Yup, there's no point having something you won't wear or use as it is, so why not give it a new lease of life?
    Your dye job worked a treat, and look so lovely with your gorgeous mini and purple tights.
    Hey, get you, popping up all over the web, you famous fashionista you! TV is beckoning, Vix! xxxxxxxxxxxx

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  26. Oooh, it looks MUCH better in that shade. Good work! xx

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  27. Thanks, will give that a go sometime x

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  28. Super idea VIx, love the colour too! Matches your outfit perfectly.

    X x

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  29. That bag looks great!
    Its funny you posted about dying bits, as i'm going to be having a go at dying some bedding for Sebs cot as all the usual ones are boring x

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  30. you are so right vix. clothes are made to be worn! love what you've done to the little forlorn handbag. now it sings! xo

    will pop over and read all about you now.

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  31. FABULOUS as always - I love that gorgeous floral mini and that bag is spectacular - I want one in hot pink! Love that beautiful necklace too.

    Love! Sarah xxx

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  32. Vixcita,
    love your flowery 60's frock and cant believe £3.60 what a bargain. what festive sleeves.
    your bag looks great, I have a boring leather kelly beige bag that needs dyeing.Congrats your a star!
    work it MAMA! fab interview. your are always so inspirtational amor.
    besotes

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  33. Leather takes dye so well and you did a fantastic job making it look brand new! I also love the outfit you paired it with!
    XXX
    Suzanne

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  34. Fabulous tute! I remember need ing a pair of cream shoes when I was 17 and dying them - make do and mend!

    Can you use any Dylon dyes in shocking pink? I was sent a couple of freebies if you fancy them chick! xx

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  35. Holy hell you've done an amazing job and I'm so glad I'm having a lie-down as I think I would probably walk into a door or fall off my chair at the thought of you in today's outfit. You look incredible and look at that cheeky smile I love!!! Of course you're featured - you're a fecking goddess!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxo

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  36. You rock, is there anything that you don't make look good or do well. You just sem to do everything so effortlessly. Your outfits are constantly chasing my heart......Maurice green and purple. X

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  37. Awesome tutorial, and purple and green are fab on you.xx.

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  38. Totally in love with that bag!

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  39. *Oh* It looks like it is quite simple to do! I will have to give it a try sometime soon.

    I love your dress Vix.

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  40. Great tut! Now your bag & tights match! YAH!

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  41. I like the idea of purple and green together SO MUCH that I think I'm going to come back to your again and again just to see this post. =)

    P.S. You look lovely.

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  42. Have a feeling sales of old white/cream leather bags will rocket after this post ;)

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  43. This is so clever, Vix! I'm used to dyeing my clothes, but leather I've never done before. Will try!
    Loving the violet shade, btw - and your whole no-I'm-not-letting-the-grey-weather-pull-me-down! outfit.
    xxx

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  44. What a fabulous idea i would have never thought about appling dye to a kelly bag but it really works ;-)) Thanks for the tip when im feeling brave i will do the same to one of my white ones as its seen better days. Love your outfit today you look adorable. dee xxx

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  45. A perfect way to revamp an old bag. I've never been a fan of white leather, but I'll certainly look out for it now x

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  46. This is such a great tutorial. I do have an old leather bag but it´s in black. Was wondering it black can be dyed to lighter colors too. Adoring your new purple bag. :)

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  47. Of course, you make it look like a doddle, Vix!

    Great job, it's a lovely colour and looks very do-able - I am going to dye a cotton blouse this week, inspired by you - I've done it before, but forgot I could do it, so thanks for the much-needed shove! xxx

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  48. Congrats again Vix 2 features in one week! you deserve it, you are one of the best out there!

    Maybe i will try dyeing something one of those days, it doesn't seem to be to complicated!

    Lots of love - Ariane xxxxx

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  49. You are a genius! :)

    For a sec I thought you are wearing a tunic. But then I realised you aren't though it would definitely work as one! :)

    ♡ from © tanvii.com

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  50. awwww you look so sweet!! Love the tutorial I had no idea you could dye a hand bag how clever is that!! Love the purple one of my favorite colors :) Thanks for sharing I will have to try this out sometime! Ugh I wish it would cool off here a little I would love to throw on some tights lol ~Have a great week Love Heather

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  51. Thanks for this as I had never heard of dying leather....mmnn..... does it come in hot pink I wonder?

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Lots of love, Vix