There are times when we really wish we had that perfect vintage “something” on hand to incorporate into our collage. But we just don’t. The problem is solved with a mixture of water and instant coffee.
Pour 1⁄2 cup of water into a plastic container. Sprinkle approximately 1 tbsp. of instant espresso or coffee into the water. Mix if needed.
With a wide brush, apply a layer of the coffee mixture to the top of school-lined paper. Flip and repeat on the back side.
Place fabric into the coffee mixture, making sure to completely saturate it. If the color is a little too dark, rinse it under warm water.
For an even more aged look, sprinkle a dash of instant coffee granules over dampened paper in a random fashion. Allow it to dry and then tap off any excess granules.
As with the paper, sprinkle coffee granules over the top of the fabric. Allow it to dry and then tap off any excess.
This effect can also be achieved with tea leaves. Use dark tea to achieve a vintage hue.
Creating aged paper as well as fabric is great when done in large batches, as you will always have a bit on hand when you need it. If you choose to prepare the paper and fabric on a larger scale, a plastic washbasin is quite handy.
The darker the roast of the coffee, the quicker the wash/dyeing process occurs.