I've got a viscose (96%) and elastine (4%) dress. I really like the shape, but I got it for a fancy dress party and it is a weird turquoise colour. I was thinking of dyeing it black so I can wear it for normal parties or even grey for more day occasions. I was wondering if it is possible to dye it, and, if so, what kind of brands?

The only dyes that are safe to use on your vicose/elastane dress are cold water fiber reactive dyes; you can also used fabric paints , such as Dharma Pigment Dyes (which are not really dye). It is very important not to use a hot water dye on anything that contains elastane or spandex. Elastane is a very heat-sensitive material; check the care label and it will tell you to wash it in cool water only. The high temperatures required for a hot water dye, such as Rit All-purpose dye or Dylon Multi Purpose dye, will ruin the shape of your dress. See How to Dye Spandex, Lycra, and elastane.

Dyeing a garment that is 96% cellulose (your viscose rayon) and 4% spandex or elastane can work very well. The undyed 4% elastane will not show. Choose a cool water dye that will work on the viscose rayon. I recommend the use of Procion MX dyes. In the UK, you can mail-order these dyes from Fibrecrafts; in Australia from Batik Oetoro; and in North America, from PRO Chemical & Dye or Dharma Trading Company. You can sometimes also find them in local crafts stores; look for Tulip One Step Fashion Dyes, Jacquard Procion MX Dyes, or Dylon Cold Water Dyes. For mail-order sources, which are the most economical and allow the greatest choice in colors, see Sources for Dyeing Supplies Around the World.

If you want to use Dylon dyes, be careful to use them only at temperatures allowed by the care instruction label for your dress. Dylon Cold Water Dyes will work great at a room temperature of 70°F or above (21°C). Dylon Machine Dye is supposed to be used at 140°F (60°C), but it will work at lower temperatures if you give it more time to react with the fiber. Do not use Rit dye, which will not work at all at room temperature.

Keep in mind that it takes a lot of dye to turn anything black. Be sure to use two to four times as much dye powder as you would use for any other dye color. Also keep in mind that the stitching that the dress was sewn together with is almost certainly polyester, so it will not take the dye; you will end up with a black dress with turquoise seams. That might look fine, though.


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[Portions of this answer were also posted, by me, on Yahoo answers, on September 30, 2008.]