How can I dye a white tutu purple for my dog?

> I am going to participate in a Mardi Gras Parade this weekend in Galveston,
> Texas.  The parade is for dogs and their owners.  I was going to try to dye
> a tutu for my small dog in a bright color.  I wasn't sure that it would
> dye.  The only colors I have been able to find tutus in are pink or white. 
> Can you advise if I could dye a white tutu maybe purple or another bright
> color.  Thanks for your time.

Tutus are made of nylon netting. Nylon can often be dyed with acid dyes. Many people find the acid dye componant of all purpose dyes, such as Rit, to work well on nylon, when dyed with enough heat; others have complained to me about their experiences with Rit on nylon, and found other acid dyes, such as those available from PROchem, to be more satisfactory.

An easy alternative, since you are in a hurry, would be to call local sewing stores, from the telephone directory, to ask what colors of nylon tulle they carry. Just get a piece several times longer than your dog's waist size - get several yards, maybe - and sew some elastic through it, in and out along the full length, then tie the ends of the elastic together at a comfortable size for your dog. I've seen nylon netting in different colors, more than white and pink anyway. This sewing project shouldn't take you more than ten minutes even if you've never sewn anything before. (I don't sew much, myself.) The nylon will not need to be hemmed.