This sounds great but like some others I am wondering how long it will hold up to washing. Would hate to gift something that would fade out with frequent washing

woops double post again

i had some bright yellow felt, and needed a subdued yellow. dyed it with coffee and purposely left it stain irregularly. was great for my project. (this is the cheap felt squares)

I agree that is very clever.

used to do that "way back when" to nylon to make them darker. Mom always bought the nude or sand color, my sister and I would coffee dye them and mom couldn't figure out why they where darker.

I have one better than that I use to use. I made antique dolls, folk ones with the long legs and regular ones. I liked the older the better looking and would rip material and all. Anyways, I went walking one day and found a black walnut tree. If u find one, take the nuts, they are in a green hard shell....boil the whole thing in water and u get this dark liquid. Wow, does it stain nice. Does not cost a thing except for a walk an find a tree. I stored it forever. Has anyone ever done this???? I use to boil about 20 at a time.

wish you would show a photo of the dolls and their clothes ane especially their quilts

I tea dyed the blocks and they were a nice honey color. Next batch of blocks I dyed were muddier and was disappointed. Maybe will try coffee next time. I have used coffee to stain wood--a piece of pine I used for a bread board.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-114667-1.htm

I will try this too.. so do you set it in with the iron so it doesn't wash out right away or what do ???

I didn't set it, but it is nit washing out with normal soap and water.

It might fade a wee bit, but I'm happy with it as is.