How to Dye Material for Bridesmaid Gowns

Dye bridesmaids dresses to match your bouquet.

You've selected a color scheme for your wedding and have coordinated the flowers, invitations and decorations around these hues. Now all you need are some bridesmaids dresses to complete the color scheme. If you're having trouble finding bridesmaids dresses in your wedding's colors, dye some material yourself to create the exact gowns you're looking for. You can dye material at home in just a few steps. When it's finished, use the colored fabric to create a custom-made gown for each of your bridesmaids.

Things You'll Need

• Material
• Fabric dye
• Dye pot
• Water
• Tongs
• Washing machine
• Mild detergent
• Dryer

Instructions

1. Determine what your selected material is made from. Different fibers require different kinds of fabric dye. Non-protein fiber materials -- including cotton, rayon and linen -- need a fiber-reactive dye. Protein-based fibers, such as wool and silk, require an acid dye to color the fabric. Buy an appropriate dye for your material in the desired color.

2. Follow the dye manufacturer's directions to mix the solution in a dye pot. Ensure the dye pot -- which can be simply a plastic or metal container -- is large enough to fit all the material inside. Use water that's at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit to open the material's fibers and help them better absorb the dye.

3. Soak the material in hot water for five minutes, until it's completely saturated.

4. Place the wet material into the dye pot. Swirl and stir it in the pot with tongs, moving it up, down, left and right. Constantly keep the material moving so that it evenly absorbs the dye.

5. Remove the material from the dye pot after 20 to 30 minutes, using a pair of tongs. Run the material under warm water followed by cool water, until no more dye washes out of the fabric.

6. Place the material in the washing machine, and clean it with warm water and a mild detergent. Put it in the dryer on a setting appropriate for the material.

Tips & Warnings

• Use test strips of material to see how the dye will color the fabric and determine how long you should soak the material in the dye. Cut three strips of material from the fabric. If you're dying a dress that's already tailored, snip this material from the inside seam. Follow the directions to dye the strips, removing the first one from the dye pot after 20 minutes, the next after 25 minutes and the final strip after 30 minutes. Determine which strip's color you like the most and soak the rest of the material in the dye for that long.

• Do not use a dye pot that will ever be used for cooking.

• Wear rubber gloves when handling the dye, to avoid staining your skin.

References

• Fabric Dyeing: Changing the Color of Fabrics
• The Complete Idiot's Guide: How To Dye Fabric