Ombre Dye Plant Hanger

 The Ombre Dye Plant Hanger is typically a macrame-style hanger made from natural rope that is dipped into fabric dye to create a beautiful colour gradient, fading from light (or natural) at the top to dark at the bottom.

Materials Needed

Item	Recommended Type	Notes
Plant Hanger	Finished Macrame Hanger made from 100% Cotton rope/cord	Cotton is the best fibre for absorbing dye and achieving vibrant colours. Jute or natural fibres can be used but may result in less vibrant or consistent colour.
Dye	Fibre-Reactive Dye (Procion MX is excellent) or Liquid Fabric Dye (like Rit)	Choose a single colour. Fibre-reactive dye provides the most permanent and vibrant colour on cotton.
Fixative	Soda Ash (Sodium Carbonate)	Crucial for setting fibre-reactive dyes on cotton. If using an all-purpose liquid dye (like Rit), you may need Salt and/or a special Dye Fixative—check the dye package instructions.
Containers	Buckets or deep plastic bins (tall enough to submerge the bottom section)	Use dedicated plastic containers, as the dye will stain.
Tools	Stirring stick, Rubber Gloves, Plastic Sheeting/Tarp, Measuring spoons/cups, Water (warm and cool).

Instructions: Creating the Ombre Effect (Dip Dyeing)

Part 1: Preparation

1. Protect Your Space: Lay down plastic sheeting or a tarp to cover your work area and the floor. This process is messy and dye will stain. Wear rubber gloves.
2. Pre-Soak the Hanger: Thoroughly wet the entire plant hanger with warm water. This allows the dye to absorb evenly. Wring out the excess water.
3. Prepare the Soda Ash Solution (Fibre-Reactive Dye Only): Dissolve 1 cup of soda ash per 1 gallon of warm water in a bucket. Submerge the wet plant hanger entirely in this solution for at least 20-30 minutes. Skip this step if using an all-purpose liquid dye that doesn't require soda ash.
4. Prepare the Dye Bath: Fill your dyeing container with the required amount of hot water (or warm water, as per dye instructions). Mix the dye according to the package instructions. If using Procion dye, mix the powder into a paste with warm water before adding it to the bath. The dye solution should be strong to create a dark base colour.

Part 2: The Ombre Dip

The key to a smooth ombre is variable submersion time and gradual dilution. The longest time in the strongest dye creates the darkest colour at the very bottom, while the shortest time in the most diluted dye creates the lightest colour higher up.

1. The Base (Darkest Colour):
• Submerge the very bottom 1/4 to 1/3 of your plant hanger into the dye solution.
• Let this section soak for the longest time (e.g., 20–30 minutes) to achieve the darkest, most concentrated colour.
2. The Middle Gradient:
• After the initial time, lift the hanger out of the dye a few inches so that only the bottom 1/4 is still submerged.
• Optional but Recommended: Add a small amount of plain water to the dye bath to slightly dilute the solution. Gently stir the bath.
• Wait for a shorter time (e.g., 10–15 minutes). This creates the next, slightly lighter band of colour.
3. The Upper Gradient (Lightest Colour):
• Lift the hanger out of the dye again, leaving only the fringe or very bottom tip submerged.
• Add more plain water to the dye bath to dilute the solution significantly. Gently stir.
• Wait for the shortest time (e.g., 5–10 minutes). This creates the lightest and highest point of the colour gradient.
• Alternative Method (for a seamless blend): Instead of distinct steps, slowly add more plain water to the container while the hanger is submerged, allowing the colour to wick up the rope naturally as the dye bath dilutes.

Part 3: Rinsing and Drying

1. Rinse: Carefully remove the hanger and take it to a sink or tub. Rinse it under cool running water until the water runs clear. Start with the least-dyed section and move down to the darkest area.
2. Wash (Optional but recommended): Wash the hanger with a little textile detergent or mild soap to remove excess dye.
3. Dry: Hang the plant hanger up to air dry. It will take a while, especially if it has tight knots. Hanging it in a dry, well-ventilated area will help it dry faster and prevent mildew. The true final colour will appear once it is completely dry.

Tips and Customisation

Tip Category	Advice
Dye Consistency	Mix a Strong Dye Bath: Always make your initial dye solution stronger than you think you need. The colour will fade slightly when it dries, and a stronger solution is necessary to achieve a dark, vibrant base.
Wicking Action	Keep it Damp: The dyeing works because the wet rope wicks the dye up. If the rope starts to dry out during the process, it won't be able to absorb the colour. If necessary, lightly spritz the upper sections with plain water.
Colour Bleed	Avoid Splashing: Be careful when lowering and lifting the hanger, and when adding water, to avoid splashing concentrated dye onto the upper, un-dyed sections.
Materials	Why Cotton is Best: 100% cotton macrame cord or rope yields the most vivid and predictable results. Synthetic cords (like polypropylene) will not take the dye at all, and jute/hemp will result in muted colours.
Multi-Color Ombre	Colour Change: To go from one colour to another (e.g., blue to purple), start with the lightest colour first (or the colour you want higher up). Rinse well, then dip the remaining sections into the new colour dye bath, following the same ombre technique.
Finishing	Fringe Detail: The fringe is the easiest part to dye deeply. You can use a second, slightly darker shade of the same colour, or a complementary colour, and give the fringe a quick, deep dip for an extra pop of colour.