RIT Dye

azzy · #1 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 12:31 PM

I'm trying to put together a decent costume on-the-cheap for training. I don't think I'd be able to pull off sewing a whole costume, but I've found some slacks and jackets at thrift stores I could use - but they're the wrong colors. Does anyone have experience with RIT dye? Would it dye a gray or brown sport coat a deep black? How about changing some baby-blue slacks vivid royal blue?

Those would be a good base for me to then add trim and embellish. Not to mention being able to dye some of the ugly sport coats could come in handy at the office.

EDIT: Then again, probably not. I forgot about "Dry-Clean Only". Would probably ruin the jacket. It may be worth a shot anyway.

pixcoco · #2 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 02:18 PM

How well the dye will take will depend on the content or the fabric. Cottons will do better than synthetics. 50-50 will work well but all polyester or nylon I wouldn't try if you expect the colors to take well and be vivid.

I dyed synthetic gloves in burgandy but I wanted pink so that worked for me.

Some dry clean only things can be carefully hand washed and line dried. So that would allow you to dye them also.

You can increase the darkness of the color by using a heated process. A big pot on the stove. You can also make the dye stay in better if you add vinigar to the wash water to set the color. But don't use the heat process on the dry clean only things. If it is wool you will get a miniture.

Bumbles · #3 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 02:31 PM

Hey Coco
Sounds like your a real dyed in the wool expert.

pixcoco · #4 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 02:59 PM

I took textiles in college. Part of the fashion design program.

azzy · #5 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 03:44 PM

I generally have wool jackets. And I read that the dye likes hot hot water, but I never considered the wool shrinking. Obviously I didn't think this through too well

I'll have to check fabrics and see what's out there. Thanks!

Fitzwilly · #6 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008, 01:43 AM

[quote=azzy;42500] Not to mention being able to dye some of the ugly sport coats could come in handy at the office.

quote]

You are talking about your jackets and not some of the other employee's jackets? I mean Rit Dye in a spray bottle might seem like a good idea, but.....