Dyeing an Ergo

[MegAndMikey]

I'm wanting to start carrying Emma on my back and find the Ergo better for this than the Pikkolo. However, my Ergo is a very faded blue (DS had reflux, it needed washing far more often than was healthy for it's colour) and it doesn't seem right carrying my beautiful baby girl in that. So, I'm thinking of dyeing it - maybe pink. It's camel, not little critters on the hood/inner.

I've never actually dyed anything before. Is there anything in particular I should watch out for? Any brands of dye that anyone can recommend? Would I have to go for a dark pink, or could I bleach and then dye it a light pink?

Thanks!

[emd]

Hey I'm about to do the same to my Ergo! It's camel with camel lining, and perfectly fine except that I like messing with dyes.

I'll be using Procion fibre-reactive, colourfast, non-fading dye. Ergo carriers are 100% cotton, so fibre-reactive dyes should work well. Dylon and Rit will also dye cotton, but they fade fast.

If your Ergo is less than nine months old, dyeing it will void the remaining warranty. Also note that the label won't take the dye (because the label is a synthetic), and the camel hood and lining will come out a different shade/tone than the indigo part of the carrier.

I'd probably go for Fuschia (dark pink) in the Procion dye, in case pastel pink on the camel comes out looking more like tangerine. As for my Ergo, I was thinking maybe purple?

[MegAndMikey]

Thanks for the advice! I'll be going in search of Procion dyes this weekend (would Woolies stock it or should I be looking at some sort of specialist shop?)

I think purple would look pretty cool, and work nicely for both sexes too. I was thinking about lilac for mine - almost purple but a bit more girly. Might end up that way anyway if the pink is too light, lol. Good point about the camel - pink and tangerine would not be a good look!

Thanks again

[emd]

I get my Procion from www.dyeman.com (aka Batik Oetoro, an Australia specialist dye retailer).

I saw a pic of some nappies that someone had recently dyed with Procion, and they came out a pink/tangerine pastel mix. It actually looked pretty good, but if it hadn't worked then it's not a disaster to have a bad dye job on an inexpensive hemp nappy.

[Marmee]

I wish I had the guts to mess with dyes and my ergo

Ours is the same camel one as your, Emma. I'd love to see a photo once it's done

[MegAndMikey]

Super, thanks for the link! I have sooo much to learn

In order to avoid the camel going a different colour would you advise bleaching first? Or is there something gentler than bleach to take the current colour out of cotton?

[sling_dad]

Hi Meg,

If you search on the Google Group, there are previous posts about dyeing Ergo/Patapum, including detailed, step-by-step directions from those who've done it. There was even at one point a vendor in the US who was selling dye kits.

Good luck!
-Paulus

[MegAndMikey]

Hi Paulus,

Thanks! I'll check it out. Brendan's gonna think I've lost my marbles...

[la]

Hey Meg, the fading might not be from frequent washing. Ours has faded dreadfully, I'm blaming an active outdoors life!

Goodluck with the dye job.

[emd]

I would stay well clear of bleach on a baby carrier. Bleach weakens fibres, and the last thing you want is stitching breaking or the fabric being weakened to the point of getting rips easily.