Thread: Any experts on dying fabric?

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Hello all!
My 5 yr old daughter is dressing up as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz and has requested that I dress up as Glinda (she wants her baby bro to be scarecrow and Daddy to be Tin Man...the girl loves a theme!)

Anyhow, I have an old wedding dress that would do nicely for Glinda however it is white and I obviously need it pink (or peach...you know-Glinda colored!). It's made out of acetate, which I understand is difficult to dye...Does anyone have any suggestions?

I found this but haven't tried it... Fabric Spray Paint for Upholstery Furniture Crafts Clothing and Cars Interior I used to dye alot of my clothes black, back when I was in high school, but none of the stuff was anything other than cotton, I'm guessing.

A fabric paint owuld be better.. Dyeing nylon/acetate is not for the timid. I ahve tried it in the past and it was not fun and did not turn out the way i wanted.

Here is a n article on how to do it:
C:\Website\Immersion Dyeing Nylon.htm

Yeah...I think I'll check out the fabric paint! Thanks!

You can't dye acetate with anything you can get in the store. the color of acetate is part of the chemicals used to make it. You may be able to "stain" it with tea or wine, but you won't be happy with the color. Cheaper and less hassle just to buy pink fabric and make the dress. Or look for a dress already pink at a thrift store. Or try Freecycle, or Craigslist.

An alcohol based leather dye should work, though it is likely price prohibitive on the scale you need it. I have used it to dye yellow rubber black and an orange nylon watchband grey (the black turned out lighter than usual). Fiebing's does not seem to make pink, but do make white and red.

Well I picked up some of the fabric spray paint at Joann last night so I'll give that a try. The dress was free and I have no sentimental attachment to it so I figure I'll give it a try and if it doesn't turn out I'll just be out the $4 I spent on paint and I'll move on to another costume idea.
Now if I could just figure out the easiest way to make that big ol Glinda crown...

I think the crown is clear, so if you get a piece of still clear plastic it should work as a base. Something like the plastic "glass" in a cheap poster frame. Light enough to cut with scissors. I don't know if you can get that separately. Or some pieces of clear plastic over head projector slides. taped together to get a large enough piece. Then just decorate with "jewels"

Thanks everyone!
I gave the spray a go this morning and it seems to work ok...there are a few spotty patches because the paint didn't come out in an even mist the whole time-it kind of 'sputtered' a bit. But I think it will be passable. I just need another can to finish it up and then I'll probably stick on some little sparkles or some sort...