A Thrifted Save

A month or so ago we took a little family adventure to a very large thrift store about 45 minutes from home. It was a place my DD wanted to visit. I found 2 items to purchase. A dress which I already washed and appears totally fine. I also found a white jean type jacket. It is not a true jean jacket because it is not made of denim (this is just my official definition of a what makes a jean jacket a jean jacket). The fabric is mostly cotton with some man made fibers in the mix.

Well it turns out the lights in the store hid quite a few “defects” on the jacket. I thought I saw a makeup stain on the collar which I knew I could most likely wash out. What I missed due to the low lighting was a stain near the hem on the side. It appeared once I got home and could actually see. It seemed like the wearer leaned up against a black tire or something similar.

Frist I tried using Lestoil which is excellent at getting grease and oil stains out of clothing. It does not smell all that great, but does work. The first go round did lighten the stain. I washed it again and just a little lighter. I did know that I would not feel comfortable wearing this in public despite being a very light stain - enter a dye job.

Bought a kit from my local big box craft store and began the process. I used a tie dye kit because I have a relatively new washer. I have dyed things in a washer before and had no issues with dye residue in the tub, but I also know all about Murphy’s Law. Also I am never opposed to wearing a little tie dye.

The first thing was using the rubber bands in the kit to kind of work a design. The kit came with excellent directions and pictures. It was trussed up like the proverbial Christmas goose.

I squirted the colors all over the “package” and left it wrapped in plastic wrap all day.

Then it was time for the reveal. I unwrapped the package and rinsed the jacket in my kitchen sink until the water ran clear. After that I tossed it in the washer. I think it turned out quite nice.