Name: Ryugen
Message: I know you are busy beyond belief, but I will take a stab at this. I have a white wool beret that needs to be dyed to bright purple. It has a leather band on the inside. so hot water is nota great option. I ahve a "spare" leather band so if I have to remove and restitch (a real PITA) it is "possible" but another solution would be MOST appreciated 

TIA for your time and wonderful web site 

If it can tolerate lukewarm water, you might try the garbage bag dyeing method. This uses the same type of dyes that we use for tie-dyeing cotton, the Procion MX or Cibacron F types of dyes. Here are two sets of instructions:

Cold Batch Dyeing of Wool with Reactive Dye (PDF)

Garbage Bag Dyeing with Wool using PRO MX Reactive Dyes

All other wool dyeing recipes I've seen require that you boil the wool in the dye, or at least steam it; it seems likely that this treatment might shrink the wool, though, doesn't it?

Another option is the use of transparent fabric paint, instead of dye. Dye produces softer results, however.

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