DIY Beet-Dyed Pillowcase and My First Sublimation Project

Looking for a fun farmhouse DIY that’s perfectly imperfect? Today I’m sharing a DIY beet-dyed pillowcase and tried my first sublimation project — with a few hilarious fails along the way.

Because around here, we keep it real. Sometimes projects turn out dreamy. Sometimes they look like a hot mess. And both are worth celebrating.

Why Try Natural Dye with Beets, Cranberries, and Onion Skins?

I’ve been on a little natural dye kick lately. There’s just something about those soft, earthy, washed-out colors that feel so cozy and lived-in.

For my first dye bath, I threw in chopped beets, cranberries (which exploded everywhere, bless them), and red onion skins. After simmering it all and soaking my pillowcase, it turned out the prettiest pale pink. Almost vintage. I was instantly smitten.

Trying for Green: Spinach, Broccoli, and Lemon Balm

Feeling brave (or maybe just stubborn), I decided to try for a soft green next. I mixed spinach, broccoli stems, and a buttload of fresh lemon balm.

Spoiler alert: it came out a lovely shade of gross yellow. 🤣 So I added a little eggplant hoping for sage, but it shifted to bright purple instead.

At that point, I just had to laugh. Not everything ends up on a Pinterest board, right?

Adding Sublimation Over DIY beet-dyed pillowcase

Then came the big moment: trying sublimation for the very first time.

Did I know what I was doing? Absolutely not. 😂 But I lined up my print, hit it with the heat press, and… it worked!

The design transferred perfectly over my beet-dyed fabric. I stood there like a proud five-year-old with finger paint on the fridge. Sometimes you’ve just got to celebrate the little wins.

Ready to play with your own heat transfers? Pop over to my shop — there are so many fun designs waiting for you! Browse them Here: Sublimation Heat Transfers

Embracing DIY beet-dyed pillowcase Fails and Happy Accidents

It wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t show you the fail. This was the “green” attempt — a perfect example that DIY doesn’t always go how you plan.

And that’s okay. Because every fail teaches you something new, gives you a reason to laugh, and reminds you that perfection was never the point.

Why You Should Try a DIY Beet-Dyed Pillowcase

Trying new things is what keeps life interesting. Whether it’s a natural dye project, a first-time sublimation, or just experimenting with thrift flips — it’s about enjoying the process, mess and all.

So next time you’re tempted to play it safe, grab some beets (or whatever you have on hand) and give it a whirl. Worst case? You get a story. Best case? You end up with something beautiful and completely one of a kind.

Watch the Full DIY Beet-Dye and Sublimation Process

➡️ Want to see how it all went down? Click here to watch the replay of my live — fails, laughs, and final reveal included.

DIY Beet-Dyed Pillowcase FAQ

Does beet dye wash out?

Natural dyes like beet will fade over time, but washing in cold water and air drying helps keep the color longer.

Can you dye fabric with vegetables?

Absolutely! Beets, onion skins, spinach, even turmeric all create beautiful earthy shades. Just be ready for some surprises.

What is sublimation on fabric?

Sublimation uses heat to permanently transfer special ink into polyester or poly-blend fabric. It’s perfect for adding designs over your natural dyes.

📌 Pin it for later

Save this DIY beet-dyed pillowcase (plus my first sublimation adventure) to your favorite Pinterest board so you can try it when you’re feeling brave enough to embrace the messy. 💛

More from SimplyBlessedDesignz

Love a good perfectly-imperfect project? Check out my podcast Finding Peace in the Chaos for a little faith boost next.

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