Replies

1. 
   Teaf5 | Jan 28, 2009 05:19am | #1

   Yes, any kind of water soluble dye (even food coloring) will color a straw hat, as long as it is made from plant fiber and not polypropylene or plastic.  To get an even color, first soak the hat in plain cold water until completely saturated, then immerse in the dye bath, leaving it in until you reach a little darker than the desired shade.  It will dry slightly lighter.

   You will probably need to resize and reshape the hat while drying; I've found that an upturned Revereware saucepan (7" wide) makes a perfect size and shape crown for my head.  You can use crumpled newspapers and string to shape the brim or just flatten it out on the flat surface. 

   The dying and drying process are quite messy, so protect your surfaces or do both outside!

1. 
   frygga | Jan 28, 2009 11:07am | #2

   wow--thank you so much for your specific suggestions. i sure never would have thought of the revereware pan. good thing i have a few of those. one of the few great things i got from my mother: "revereware is best if you can get it."

1. 
   Teaf5 | Jan 30, 2009 01:40am | #3

   The only problem with using my pan to shape my hats is that I can't use it for dinner that night, and it's also the perfect size for most side dishes!

1. 
   Ceeayche | Feb 10, 2009 06:50pm | #4

   giggle!