Calling all costumers and crafters!!

[morganskye]

I need help making a decision. I'm making a Professor Umbridge costume, starting with what I have already in my closet. By luck I have an old 100% wool cloak. Unfortunately it's a purple/pink with red specks, which doesn't quite work. I also have a pink dress to go underneath.

My problem is that I don't know whether I should dye the cloak. I've had it for years and have never worn (it was a gift). It's 100% virgin New Zealand wool, so I'm hesitant to dye it. My main concern is that it will shrink. It's already 'perfect', so any shrinkage will make it unwearable. I was thinking of using RIT powder, which requires hot water to work. Is there a cold/wool dye out there? Any ideas? Below are pics of the cloak with the dress, and an natural light shot.



[Poll #1004359]
x-posted

Comments

[sarcasm-hime.livejournal.com]

A google search brings up:

http://www.earthpalette.com/c_wool.php
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/archive/index.php/t-67182.html
http://www.knitty.com/issuefall02/FEATdyedwool.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_14860_prepare-wool-dyeing.html

[morganskye.livejournal.com]

Oh wow, thanks! When I tried all I got was a bunch of UK wool stores. ^_^

[amayagoddess.livejournal.com]

The hot water itself will not shrink the cloak. Hot water, agitation, and soap is what causes wool to shrink/felt/full. So hot water and enough movement to satisfy the dye disbursement shouldn't shrink it.

Knitters dye wool all the time. :)

[morganskye.livejournal.com]

True. I guess I'm just a little freaked out since I have no wiggle room in the size department. Plus the RIT directions said that I need to agitate the fabric.

[muntahz.livejournal.com]

Also check out (I think this is the correct address) dharma.com?
They do have cold dye.
I would dye it something that would look good with your skin.
What colour do you need for the costume?

[morganskye.livejournal.com]

I was wanting more of a pink than purple, but I'm don't going to dye it now. Apparently the cloak is worth more than I thought. If I ruined it my mom would kill me!!

Lemme know when you post those pics!
I wonder if we have met...We'll have to make a point to meet up this year. ^_^

[muntahz.livejournal.com]

I tend to remember people.
I remember your user name and the brain said Marriott!

[morganskye.livejournal.com]

lol! I'm memorable! Yay!

Last year was the first time I've been to D*C, so sadly I barely remember much. Heck, I made more friends after the con than during! I'm going to be there for much longer this year (Thurs-Mon) so I really hope we can meet up.

[muntahz.livejournal.com]

Did you do any book signings?
What panels did you go to?
My husband and I tend to just talk to people.
So we meet a lot of people. ;)

[morganskye.livejournal.com]

I did a lot of wandering mostly. I didn't attend any book signings because I forgot to bring them. -_-;
I went to a few panels, mainly DC comics and Harry Potter.
I also was in a Lemmings costume group on Sunday.
Past that I did a lot of chatting with people just hanging out, which is probably where we met. ^_^

[muntahz.livejournal.com]

It was the Lemmings!
I remember that and I recall talking to several of them.

[morganskye.livejournal.com]

There you go. It's funny though, we were only in costume for an hour tops. I'm pretty sure we're doing it again this year. I haven't heard anything yet about this year.

[muntahz.livejournal.com]

We tend to be everywhere.
Really!
Oddly I spoke with a friend who was with us last year, DCon newbie last yuear, about the Lemmings.
He and I were the ones who spoke with the Lemmings.
Also by the time we got the rest of our group over where you all had been you were gone.
So appearantly the hour was up!

[morganskye.livejournal.com]

lol, that's cool!
Our run was a little short because some of us were leaving that afternoon. In fact as soon as we were finished I left to head back to Charleston.

[muntahz.livejournal.com]

We usually get there on Thursday and leave Monday.
This year we are supposed to be there Wednesday and leave Mon. or Tues.
We have friends coming in from California as well as Florida and Alabama.
So I want to spend time with them before the Con begins.

[morganskye.livejournal.com]

I love conventions. It seems like that's the only time I can see all my friends.

[muntahz.livejournal.com]

That and book signings seem to be when we se a lot of ours.

[morganskye.livejournal.com]

I don't go to a lot of book signings, but that's because we don't get a lot of interesting authors here. It's like they avoid Charleston.

[muntahz.livejournal.com]

The tend to avoid The South!
We just went to see an author in Atlanta.
It was her first visit in 6 years.

[morganskye.livejournal.com]

Seriously! It's like they think we're all yokels who can't read.

[muntahz.livejournal.com]

I finally asked and was given two answers.
The first is that it is actually harder to get into the schedule, because of the bookstores and ariports.
The second was that only Southern Authors want to to the Southern signings and then their PR reps only want major cities.
I wuld think Charleston would be seen as a major city.
Savannah, Charleston, Birmingham, Atlanta, Dalls, Houston, Baton Rouge, NO?, The Research Triangle,
Columbia, Memphis, Nashville, Richmond, New Port News, Asheville, Greensboro, And I am missing several states.
They could do an entire Southern tour!

[morganskye.livejournal.com]

I know! I hate feeling left out of the loop. And it's not just authors. Bands avoid us too. Boo hiss!

[muntahz.livejournal.com]

That just is so odd.
Chaleston is a major city!
We are lucky we have Atlanta within a few hours.

[morganskye.livejournal.com]

Yup, very lucky. Although I wish I was a bit closer. 5 hours on the road is still a little rough.

[muntahz.livejournal.com]

We do more then that when we hit St. Louis.
5 is bad, but if it is something you really want...
Also, try yoga for the headaches.
I tried to comment on your earlier post and LJ had a brain fry!
I tend to be a headache person as well.
Yoga helps!~
Exercise helps!
If I miss a day I pay for it.

[morganskye.livejournal.com]

I don't mind the drive usually. So long as I either have a buddy or good books-on-cd with me I'm fine. ^_^

That's not the first time Yoga has been mentioned to me. I think I should give it a shot. My local gym offers classes. Looks like I'm signing up!

[muntahz.livejournal.com]

Iyengar or Hatha.
They have less jumping and are the safest version.

[morganskye.livejournal.com]

Ok, I'll see if they offer it. If not I'm sure I can find a tape of it.