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Member since 5/22/04
Posts: 509
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Posted on: 3/24/11 9:45 AM ET
I have been invited to a flapper 20's party. J. Peterman has a dress greatly reduced (down to $88). It is silk georgette and taffeta. I am wondering about dying it as ivory is a terrible color on me. Dare I do something like this at home? I would prefer a black or navy. If so, what product would you recommend and and how? Thanks!
  
Member since 5/8/03
Posts: 1732
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Posted on: 3/24/11 12:47 PM ET
Paula Burch has an excellent web site on dyeing, also with a Q&A. Here's a link to a very similar question, and her response:Dyeing a silk taffeta dress.

She answers the questions much more completely than I could. But I will say that, even though I have done quite a bit of dyeing, I wouldn't take it on.

Susan
  
Member since 5/22/04
Posts: 509
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Posted on: 3/24/11 1:23 PM ET
In reply to Mandolin82
Thank you, Susan. Wow.....so much to consider here. I haven't tried calling the dry cleaners but then they would probably have to use the same process.......
  
Member since 6/7/05
Posts: 1334
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Posted on: 3/24/11 1:54 PM ET
I've managed to make an unwearable shade of brown silk dress a very flattering shade of burgandy. I used procion dyes, not really the ideal for silk but worked fine.

But, it was a free dress passed on by my sister so my potential loss was only wasted dye, not $88.
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 5885
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Posted on: 3/24/11 2:56 PM ET
I work for a company that dyes silk fabric. When we use black dye, there's an extra charge, because it takes extra time, and we often don't get a true black. Also, if any thread besides silk is used for construction, that will dye differently. And the methods we use, do cause shrinkage.
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My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 10, and I've been sewing ever since.
  
Member since 12/13/07
Posts: 826
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Posted on: 3/24/11 3:58 PM ET
You may also get some surprises if there are other fabrics used for trim or piecing. Cotton or poly won't dye the same as the silk.
  
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