It all started when I got a call from a photographer up in the bay area who desperately wanted to get out of the business and was trying to sell all of her props (as a bundle). Good deal alert! Most of her knit stuff wasn’t really my style but a few of the props she had were beautiful, and the pièce de résistance was a 5’x 8’ lavender flokati rug. It was huge!! To the point were It was difficult to use it was so big! So I decided to cut it apart and dye half of it.
For those of you who aren’t familiar, flokati rugs are basically hand made shag rugs. They photograph really soft and are a big thing in newborn photography, and in turn can be pretty expensive.
I decided to dye the rug Navy/blue since I figured the color would go over the lilac pretty well, and i didn’t involve me mixing colors 🙂 I was super scared that it would dye my bathtub (especially since it was such a dark color) so I bought a storage container at Walmart for $9.
The container needed ti be filled with hot water so I used the shower hose thingy to fill it about half full. This is where thing start to go down hill… Then I tried to take it outside. I put the lid on and started to push, and I had to push really hard! Once I got it to the back door I had to carry it outside and then out to the lawn. Did I mention this thing was heavy!! I went back inside, and slowly but surely realized I had really hurt my back. It wasn’t until later that I did the match on how much that thing weighed. It was a 35gallon container half full, a gallon of water weighs 8.34 lbs…carry the 2…over 145 lbs!! OMG! I pushed/carried 145lbs of water!! No wonder i was walking like an old crippled penguins the rest of the day! Today I’m walking a bit more upright but if you were to compare me to the illustration of the evolution of man walking upright I’m still on the ape side of things 😉
Moral of the story, don’t do what I did and either fill the container outside or get help 😉
Here is what you need (or at least what I used):
- rit dye
- vinegar
- rubber gloves
- container to dye in
- sharp scissors
- Dritz fray check
Separate the rug and cut.
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I used this to seal the edge. Take a few hours to dry.
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This is the first time I took it out. It looked a little blotchy so I stuck it back in for awhile.
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Before and After
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Wow – thank you so much for your tutorial and information about how to dye a flotaki rug – I am definitely bookmarking this for when I want to do mine 🙂 thanks for sharing!
wow..I am very impressed. If you are close by I would want you to make one like that. I can never do this on my own. Gilroy Newborn Photographer you are a such a talented girl.
This is such a great tutorial on how to due a flotaki rug! Thank you Gilroy Newborn Photographer. 🙂 I’ll definitely have to try this!
Awesome that a newborn photographer would share tips and tricks for their props like this! From Archbold to Gilroy, thank you!
Thank you for this tutorial on dying flokati rugs. I’ve always wanted to try this but was afraid. It will be nice to have such a variety of colors for your newborn photography! Thanks again So Cute Photo from Gilroy! 🙂
I love it when I see a photographer who goes out of their way to help others! Whether it is for personal friends, family , strangers or for the better of the community!! What a beautiful heart you have and what a great “eye” you have too!! I love your newborn and children portraits. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and DIY tips! Keep giving and sharing as the photographer and owner for Gilroy Newborn Photography will not only be known for their sharing of tips but also of the Studio to capture the special moments of babies in your community!!
Love this information! I have been wondering how to dye a Flokati rug. Cool tutorial from a Gilroy Newborn photographer~
I amsolutely love my natural creamy flokati, but I’ve been dying to get my hands on a grey-navy one, and this might be the prefect way; the navy dye looks gret over the lavendar base! these gorgeous finds really enhance the looks of professionally styled newborn portraits.
I am sorry you hurt your back, but this story made for an entertaining read, and the end result looks fabulous! Flokatis are perfect in photos. The tutorial on how to dye one is awesome information!
Oh noes Brenden! A hurt back is just the worst, I know! Take care of it from now on, because just when you think you’re back to being invincable, a wonky little twist or bend will bite you!