Dyeing Converse Sneakers Using Venus Dye

I bought a pair of high cut pair from a Converse Sale near where I live. I was never a fan of white, so the next step is to change its color in a way that seems natural: Dyeing seems the next legit step.

Initially, I wanted a patterned pair of shoes, so I was considering tie-dyeing it. But I couldn't find any string, or rubber bands for pattern making, so I settled on making it a plain color instead (if I can get a hands on another pair, I would tie-dye it).

The process was inspired by this: http://lynnandtonicblog.com/2010/03/05/how-to-dye-... It used a different dye than mine though, and this set of instructions took her at least 20 minutes.

This process takes at least 30 minutes, not considering the drying time. All in all, you can finish dyeing it within the day.

Materials:

A pair of white Converse Chucks: Get the canvass ones. Dyes work better in fabric.

Venus Dye: Very cheap. I bought it for 5Php ($0.11 in USD conversion). I bought two.

Salt

A big, big pot for the shoes to fit in

Stove

Stirrer (can be as ordinary as a piece of stick)

A place to hang the shoes dry.

Iron and ironing board

Prepare your shoes:

Prior to this, I have to clean the shoes first because they're looking a bit dusty. You can skip this step if you are content with how your shoes look right now.

Remove the shoelaces.

Note: I used the instructions at the pack of the dye packet. You can follow the instructions of the dye you bought.

First, wet your shoes.

Then fill the pot with water enough to submerge the subjects in.

Boil the water until it simmers.

Meanwhile, put your dye in a separate small container and add hot water to dissolve it. Set it aside.

Yep. We'll need to cook your shoes. Don't worry. The hard plastic can take it.

Once the water started to simmer, pour in your dye. Mix it a bit before putting your shoes, sole up. Tip though, when you put your shoes in, make sure to pull out the flaps on the shoes so that it will get maximum exposure to the dye. One of the flaps of the shoes was a bit lighter in color than the other one, probably because that flap got pinned down in the dyeing process or something. In any case, expose the areas you want it dyed.

Let it soak for ten minutes, mixing as you do.

I used a ladle for this (because I couldn't find a stick), and keep on prodding the shoes to sink underwater.

After ten minutes, add in salt. The packet says add a tablespoon of salt on every gallon of water used. I kinda just did an estimate (I think I put in two tablespoons' worth of salt in there). Cook it for twenty minutes with occasional stirring, prodding, and laughing like the witches of old (I kinda did that hahaha).

After twenty minutes, turn off your stove, and carefully drain the dye bath into the sink. Rinse the shoes until the water runs clear.

The packet said that I should squish it and force dry it to become moist before ironing it out, but instead, I let it dry outside, and just came back when it's not dripping.

Sorry for the quality of the picture. This step was done at night, and my lighting was dark than I thought it will be.

When the shoes are wet enought, I ironed it. I pulled the flap out and ironed that first using the tip of the iron...you know, the small, pointy bit that can go into small places? I also leaned a shoe on the side, and ironed it on the edges. I think I was able to iron most of them.

Since it's a bit wet, the iron sizzles on contact. It's normal, just as long as you don't put the iron on the same spot for too long.

Then, I leave it to dry for the final time.

Put back the laces and see how it looks! For my now-blue shoes, I think I need to change the laces to black.

You can use this to re-color your fading Chucks, and works only for plain colors.

Next, I would try to tie-dye shoes. I think that's an interesting project, don't you think?

Thanks!