Name: Gwendolyn

Message: I have 3 velvet halloween costumes.  Two are white and one is cream.  I need to dye the cream colored one to silver.  One of the white ones needs to be dark green and the other a dark purple.  I was told by a cleaner that velvet cannot be dyed, is this true?

It all depends on the fiber content. Cotton velveteen, silk velvet, and rayon velvet are all very easy to dye. Unfortunately, my experience is that anyone who fails to specify the fiber content of their fabric, as you did, has polyester. Polyester is essentially impossible for the novice dyer to dye at home.

However, dyeing is not the only possible answer to your problem. Instead of using dye, you can use a high quality fabric paint. The problem with painting velvet is the the paint may stick the little hairs that make up the nap of the velvet together. You will have to dilute your fabric paint with water before applying it. A thin dye-like paint such as Jacquard's Dye-Na-Flow will be best for painting velvet.

A metallic color such as silver is impossible to achieve with dye, anyway. You must use a metallic fabric paint, such as Lumiere, in order to get a metallic silver appearance on your fabric.

Don't use regular hard-surface paint, instead of fabric paint, unless you have no alternative, because it will leave a very harsh, stiff feeling on fabric. Fabric paint is softer and much more pleasant to the touch.

If your local crafts store does not carry good fabric paint, you can order it from Dharma Trading Company or from Dick Blick Art Materials. See "Sources for Dyeing Supplies Around the World", for contact information for these and other suppliers.


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