https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dyeing-a-silk-top----any-experience Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 03 May 2026 09:39:16 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dyeing-a-silk-top----any-experience#post-1417533 Thu, 01 Jan 2015 23:14:48 +0000 Dimity 1417533@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet, I've done a bit of dyeing, even as part of my undergraduate degree. I'd try taking the stains&nbsp;out first, because dye doesn't necessarily cover up stains, it will absorb differently in those areas and go darker there instead, leaving you with an unwearable mess. I've successfully taken perspiration stains from silk using baking soda, but if you google that there are lots of different methods.</p> <p>I heartily second the dharmatrading link as THE go-to place for dye. It is superior in every way to RIT. Silk is a protein fibre (as opposed to cotton, say, which is cellulose)&nbsp;and needs to be dyed with a dye for protein fibres. If you visit the Dharma site, you'll see a section for protein (silk, wool)&nbsp;dyes, so take a look at those. They even have Pantone colour of the season matches in their dyes, so it's a lot of fun choosing. You won't need much for a single blouse, so it will only cost a few dollars. They also have a section where they list detailed instructions for dyeing silk, so take a look at those. Be prepared to spend a few hours doing it properly, washing the blouse and having it wet before it goes into the dyebath.</p> <p>One thing I've found with silk is that is sometimes loses some softness once dyed. It becomes a little stiff and less silky, with less sheen. If that's an issue, you might want to reconsider. ALso, thread used in sewing is often polyester, which will not take up this&nbsp;dye, so your thread will remain white. Sometimes that matters, sometimes it doesn't. If you have a lot of visible stitching, it might look odd. I find in that case it can be better to dye a pale colour so the stitching doesn't stand out much. The sort of dye that dyes polyester is nasty smelly stuff and I don't really recommend it as it isn't fun to use.</p> <p>Good luck! It's very satisfying&nbsp;to dye things. I've recently dyed towels, a doona cover, various pieces of fabric and clothing and given them all new life. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dyeing-a-silk-top----any-experience#post-1417502 Thu, 01 Jan 2015 20:33:13 +0000 elpgal 1417502@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet, no experience with dyeing but my crafty friends always recommend this site.<br /> <a href="http://www.dharmatrading.com/dyes/dyes-to-use-on-silk-wool-and-nylon.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.dharmatrading.com/d.....nylon.html</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dyeing-a-silk-top----any-experience#post-1417497 Thu, 01 Jan 2015 20:15:25 +0000 Kristin L 1417497@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven't tried dyeing silk yet, but I've read that you should add vinegar to the water and dye mixture to help the color take. Good luck! Let us know how it turns out.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dyeing-a-silk-top----any-experience#post-1417466 Thu, 01 Jan 2015 18:03:52 +0000 deb 1417466@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have dyed my silk shirts. I used Rit liquid and <a href="https://www.ritstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/ColorRit_FINAL.pdf" rel="nofollow">their instructions</a>. As long as the fabric is 100% silk it works really well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/dyeing-a-silk-top----any-experience#post-1417453 Thu, 01 Jan 2015 17:20:15 +0000 Janet 1417453@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have an old favorite white silk blouse that developed some unfortunate yellowish stains -- you know the kind -- and it resisted my attempts to eliminate the stains. I love the style and fit, and I hate to just discard it. I'm wondering if I might salvage it by dyeing it, perhaps a deep charcoal grey. Even a dark forest green might be nice. </p> <p>Has anyone done this? Results, recommendations? What kind of dye did you use? Any tips? </p>