Fabric Dyeing Questions

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October Questions

Jennifer, I am in a wedding in September and need chocolate brown shoes. I have satin dyeable shoes that have not been dye. I used them for my wedding and would like to reuse them. Do you have any suggestions for me? I have bought a package of RIT Dark Brown dye. Should I use the "Stove Top" method to dye the shoes?
Thanks, Melissa
Dear Melissa,
I am sorry, you can't dye the shoes yourself. Take them to a full service shoe repair place & consult with them.
best,
Jennifer

I dunno who i am supposed to contact but what I was wondering could I dye any color dress into a white colored one and if so where do i find the stuff to do it and how do i do it?
Hi Kristin,
Sorry, this can't be done. Please read my article on Fabric Dyeing 101 for more info. Here is the link: www.fabrics.net/DizzyLettuceArticle.asp.
best,
Jennifer

I would like to as you is it possible to dye a homecoming formal? My daughter found this beautiful dress but the color is rather dull. I was hoping to have the dress dyed lavender but reading your information I just don't know if that is possible. Is there a company that can do this professionally? Looking for help, Shirley
Hi Shirley,
the short answer is, probably not. Please read my article on Fabric Dyeing 101 for the basic info. Here is the link:
http://www.fabrics.net/DizzyLettuceArticle.asp.
good luck & Happy Homecoming!
Jennifer

I am trying to dye some poly china silk colorguard flags...think marching band. They are 100% polyester and made to flow like silk. I need to dye these and am having alot of trouble finding a way to do it. Do you have any suggestions? I'm not sure if I need a sort of paint or dye? Any help is appreciated! -Frances
Hi Frances,
I am sorry, these cannot be dyed. However, check with the folks at www.dharmatrading.com. They may be able to recommend something that can work for you.
best,
Jennifer

Hi Jennifer...Would you have any information on dying denim ..which is already "faded black"...I would love it to be Jet black? Thanks Wendy.... Australia
Hi Wendy,
well, it's really hard to get a dark, saturated black, but if you are willing to experiment you might be able to do something that you like with the industrial dyes at www.dharmatrading.com. This is what I use when I want to redye faded black garments, including jeans. have fun!
Jennifer

Is there anything i can use to dye a white cotton/polyester mix jacket to bright red? Thanks Nadia
Dear Nadia,
No, you can't get it to bright red, although you might be able to get it to pale red or pink. Please read my article on Fabric Dyeing 101 (http://www.fabrics.net/DizzyLettuceArticle.asp) for more information. Write back if you have more questions!
best,
Jennifer

I recently purchased my wife a silk wrap/stole from ebay, it was advertised as colour "cream" unfortunately when it arrived it is more like a yellow colour, is it possible to lighten this.
Dear John,
I wouldn't risk any attempt at color remover on this.
Sorry,
Jennifer

But, Jennifer, is there any way to restore colour to a special printed hanky that has been left in bleach a little too long. It didn't affect some colours but some black colour has faded. I suppose it is irreversible. Yours truly, Dot
Dear Dot,
I don't know any way to restore it. Sorry.
Jennifer

I have a DKNY leather purse and I am not crazy about the pale pink color and would like to change it to a dark chocolate. The tag reads as follows: color code/159, color/pale and 'distressed nappa' is printed on it as well. I am not sure if 'distressed nappa' describes the leather but, it is very smooth, soft and supple.
On close inspection of the leather it appears to be painted. There appear to be some cracks on the color.
Is it possible to re-dye leather or do I have to paint it?
Thank you, Edy
Dear Edy,
Leather dyeing is not my strong point, so I can't answer definitively. Take the bag to a full service shoe repair place & see what they say. Most of those places do leather dyeing & also sell leather dye for DYI.
best,
Jennifer

How can I dye a linen dress that says wash in cold water and the dye says use very hot water to dye? Thanks, Bonnie
Hi Bonnie,
please read my article on Fabric Dyeing 101 (http://www.fabrics.net/DizzyLettuceArticle.asp) for basic information. Write back if you have more questions!
best,
Jennifer

Hi, I would like to know what types of paints could be used for shirts. The new hip style are vintage painted tees, and I would like to create some of my own. What type of paint do they use?
Joel
Dear Joel,
go to www.dharmatrading.com & have a fun time. They carry all kinds of paints for fabric & supply a lot of information on how to achieve the effect you want.
best,
Jennifer

Hello Jennifer.
I am bit flustered at my situation; I found the perfect dress for my best friend's wedding. I will be her maid of honor and she allowed me to pick my own dress as long as it was chocolate color. The dress I fell in love with is dark brown and satin. Is there a way I can have it professionally dyed without having it ruined? I saw that it requires an acid dye, will it damage the material? I also figured that it should be relatively easy making it darker, would I still be taking a chance?
Heartbroken and dissapointed,
Heidi
Dear Heidi,
I am sorry, you can't dye this dress. Try searching on ebay for the color you want. Please read my article on Fabric Dyeing 101 for more info! Here is the link: www.fabrics.net/DizzyLettuceArticle.asp.
best,
Jennifer

I have never dyed anything before, and I am looking to dye white sheer curtains to purple. I have no clue where to start??? Do I do this in the tub, sink, washer? Is there a simple step by step on this process?? Please help a beginner! Thanks, Laura
Dear Laura,
Start by reading my article on Fabric Dyeing 101. Here is the link:
www.fabrics.net/DizzyLettuceArticle.asp.
best & have fun!
Jennifer

I have been looking for an inexpensive veil for my wedding in November. Several craft stores have a nice selection, but none in ivory. Would you recommend dyeing it? Any product suggestions? I am relatively crafty, but don't really know where to start. Any advice would be helpful. Holly
Holly,
are you going to construct the veil yourself from nylon tulle? We have a nice selection of colors right here at fabrics.net store! Tulle can be dyed, but I don't recommend that you try it for your first project.
Blessings to the wedding,
Jennifer

Hi, Jennifer. I have a Pottery Barn slipcover that is a dirty sand color. I would like it to be a deep chocolate or espresso color. The cover is cotton velvet. Do you know of a professional company that does slipcover dyeing?
I really would appreciate your advise.
Thank you. Mary
Hi Mary,
Sherry at www.fabricdyeing.com can help you with this.
best,
Jennifer

Is it possible to dye black jackets that say dry clean only? There are places on each jacket that have lightened due to stains or rubbing to get stains out. One jacket is 63% polyester, 32% viscose rayon and 5% spandex, the other jacket is 85% rayon and 15% linen. I appreciate knowing if these nice jackets are salvageable.
Hi Jess,
It will be difficult to dye these jackets. Please read my article on Fabric Dyeing 101 for the basic info. http://www.fabrics.net/DizzyLettuceArticle.asp It's sometimes possible, but always an experiment with an unknown outcome, to overdye rayon. Plus, stains may or may not inhibit the dye from taking. On top of that, black is a hard color to get in the best of circumstances.
Sorry,
Jennifer

I have a white winter coat that got black dye leaked on to it in the washing machine. It is now a purplish grey and blotchy. I took it to the dry cleaners and there was nothing they could do about it. Is there anyway to get this jacket back to the original white color? If not, I wouldn't mind dying it black. I'm a little hesitant no dying it black because I want a dark solid black, not a just a light greyish black. Is there anything product out there you would recommend? Please help! I'm desperate. Thanks so much, Anna
HI Anna,
Please read my article on Fabric Dyeing 101 before anything else (http://www.fabrics.net/DizzyLettuceArticle.asp). If you still want to proceed, you can contact Sherry at www.fabricdyeing.com, or else the Knitwear Doctors at www.knitweardoctor.com. There are only a couple of dye houses in the country that will do this kind of stuff, but they are both used to receiving pieces from all over the world.
good luck,
Jennifer

The Rit dye company gave me a number for a company that sells dye to dye polyester. However, the process sounded like far too much trouble. Are there professional dyers experienced with the product who will dye polyester? Are there any in the Denver Colorado area? Thank you for your assistance. Michelle
Hi Michelle,
you are right, it's way too much trouble to try to do it yourself. Plus, dyes for polyester are caustic & toxic & require very hot, controlled conditions. Unfortunately, it's not really feasible for anyone else to do it, either.
Sorry,
Jennifer

I have a lovely ivory lace nylon top that I haven't worn because it is too close to my redhead coloring. I would love to dye it cocoa brown color but am unsure if I can use fabric dye on light weight, 100% nylon, lace. Can you give me some advice? Thanks, Cynthia
Hi,
This can be dyed using the acid dyes available at www.dharmatrading.com. Please read all their instructions as well as my comments on Fabric Dyeing 101 (http://www.fabrics.net/DizzyLettuceArticle.asp). Acid dyes are easy to work with, but require very hot water, either in the washer or on the stove. I am fond of buying those nylon lace tops at thrift stores & dyeing them various unexpected colors. have fun!!
Jennifer

I have a beautiful shirt that is made out of 100% modal. The color doesn't do the shirt justice so I was wondering if dyeing it is an option. I have ruined many an item of clothing in the past so I'm a little nervous about trying it. Also, can you recommend a good product of dye? Thanks in advance, Sandra
Sandra,
Modal is rayon & can be dyed using the reactive dyes from www.dharmatrading.com, with some caveats. Please read my article on Fabric Dyeing 101 before you do anything. This will answer your basic questions.
best,
Jennifer

I'm tryign to dye a red polyester and nylon bag dark navy blue. What kind of dye should I use and how should I dye it? Which dyes work on both nylon and polyester? From, Jean
Hi Jean,
I am sorry, you won't have good luck trying to dye this item. Polyester cannot be dyed at all, & even with nylon content, I don't think you will be pleased with any results.
best,
Jennifer

What a great website! Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I looked through the questions answers but didn't find mind. I have some 100% polyester sheers that are white and I would like them the color of ivory. I'm worried if I dye them they will turn beige or tan.Can you advise if and how these can be changed to the color ivory? Thanks so much. Carol
Hi Carol,
I am sorry, these can't be dyed. Time to go shopping.
best,
Jennifer

 

You can ask Jennifer questions at dizzylettuce@Fabrics.net.

Jennifer Thompson Miller: I love my work in beautiful textiles, color, trim, and design! I am a devoted student of fashion history and love vintage and vintage-inspired looks. For many years, my main focus was fashion sewing, using natural fibers in beautiful colors. In recent years, much to my delight, I have learned color mixing and silk dyeing. This has added a vibrant, versatile dimension to my fashion design.

I learned design and needlework from my mother and grandmother, and I am very grateful for their inspiration and instruction. Some of my earliest memories are spending time in the fabric store, while my mother designed and picked out fabrics for glamorous outfits. From the age of ten, my mother and other fashion-conscious ladies would ask my opinions on fabrics that they were combining.

About Dizzylettuce

Dizzylettuce is a line of unique, creative, beautiful, and luxurious silk accessories - triangles, rectangles, and circles - that can be worn as shawl, wrap, waist and hip wrap, sash, exciting ensemble layer, and suit or coat accessory.

Take a look at the latest Dizzylettuce styles & colors at www.dizzylettuce.com.

You can contact me at 512 837 4063 or here at dizzylettuce@fabrics.net.

If you love beautiful colors, luxurious textures, rich and interesting trim accents, the creation of a unique fashion look, and beautiful clothes - you will love Dizzylettuce!

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The "dizzylettuce" Column is an opinion Column and may or may not reflect the views of Fabrics.net.