Can You Dye Chiffon? (How to Dye a Chiffon Dress Easily)
Not all materials can be dyed and if you are trying to get rid of that black color, give up before you start. That color cannot be covered by a new color tone.
Can you dye chiffon? Yes, you can dye chiffon fabric. But it will depend on what fibers were used to create the dress. You can use an all-purpose or acid dye on silk chiffon. Just follow the instructions and you should be okay. Don’t forget the vinegar stage as that will fix your dye without using harmful chemicals.
To learn how to dye chiffon, and what fibers you can and can’t dye, just continue to read our article. It explores the issue so you can get right to work on your next chiffon dyeing project.
Will Chiffon Dye?
Some chiffon fibers will dye and some will not. Cotton and silk should be your best options when you want to change the color of your chiffon dresses or outfits. These natural fibers take dye very well if you do the process correctly.
On the other hand, polyester and other synthetic fibers used to make chiffon do not take dye very well and some people have said it is impossible to dye polyester. Nylon is another synthetic fiber that does not accept dye very well.
Part of the problem is that the synthetic fibers do not allow for an even absorbing of the dyes. Some people have been lucky enough to be able to dye a polyester chiffon dress but they did not get the results they wanted and had to settle for a lighter color.
Not everyone will be so lucky. They even used hot and warm water so they were double lucky the dress did not shrink on them. Heat is not chiffon’s friend. So if you are trying to dye poly chiffon, keep your fingers crossed as you may not be one of the lucky ones.
Does Chiffon Dye Well?
The silk and cotton chiffon options should dye well. They are natural fibers that accept dye quite easily. You can use all-purpose dyes if you want, or for better results go with an acid dye.
When you want to remove the color of a dress and re-dye it, make sure not to use bleach. Use one of the color remover’s different dye-making companies offer. Those liquids or powders are designed to remove the color from chiffon without damaging the fibers.
Bleach will damage the gown and probably make you throw it away. Next, if your gown or other chiffon outfit is colored black, forget about dyeing it. Black colors are impossible to cover and it will show through the new dye color you placed on the gown.
Polyester is a different case and while some people have had some success, usually it is recommended that you do not dye polyester. To do so means you have to use a disperse dye and the process is not made for beginners.
We are not exactly sure why but it is said that immersion dyeing with disperse dye is more dangerous with polyester than it is with cotton fibers. The other problem you will face is that you cannot dye a garment that cannot be washed. There are chiffon options that utterly cannot be washed.
Can You Dye Polyester Chiffon?
Most people say it is impossible to dye polyester. One person used Rit dye, a pot of 180 degrees F water, and a little luck to dye her polyester chiffon bridesmaid dress. After adding the dye and the vinegar, she had to simmer the dress for 30 to 60 minutes before being able to remove it from the pot.
She rinsed the dress with warm water first then cool then hung it out to dry. As we said she had a lot of luck. But what she did not mention is if her threads were made of polyester and if they changed color or not. Usually, polyester thread doe snot change color and you have a whole new problem on your hands.
More likely you will end up with a blotchy mess as polyester normally does not take dye very well. The problem with using a disperse dye is that it takes extremely hot water to get the dye into the fibers. 212 degrees F is not hot enough.
You will also need a noxious-smelling carrier chemical to help transfer and set the dye. We suggest you stick to dyeing the chiffon items made from natural fibers over doing a polyester dress.
Can You Dye Chiffon With Rit?
It is possible to use that dye brand when you want to dye a chiffon dress or other clothing item. If the dye is made for the fiber then all you have to do is follow the instructions and you should be okay.
The complications are that you cannot dye a dress that cannot be washed. That lets out several chiffon styles although silk would be an exception to the rule. Then you cannot dye a black dress yellow. Or a black blouse green.
The black color will show through and ruin your work. Plus, no matter the color, you always need to dye darker than the color on your chiffon clothing. The same principle is at work here as it is for black.
Rit dyes may work on rayon and you may have some luck with synthetic fibers but don’t get your hope sup. Synthetic fibers are not open to receiving a lot of dye. That holds true for polyester thread and possibly other synthetic threads.
You may be successful at dyeing the polyester fiber but the thread probably won’t change color. There are exceptions to this rule but those are rare. The ration for using Rit dyes n fabrics is 1 bottle for every 2 pounds of fabric.
If you want a dark color use more dye than that equation calls for.
Best Fabric Dye For Chiffon
Two of the best and probably the most well-known brands are Rit and Dylan dyes. Both companies make a variety of dyes for different fabrics as well as color removers. The Rit dye company has advertised that they have improved their polyester dyes and those new products can color poly chiffon easier than it did before.
That new dye is made for those garments with at least 35% synthetic fibers, including polyester, polyester-cotton blends, acrylic, and acetate. It is called Rit Dye More so that added bonus may make it the best dye brand to use for chiffon.
Your success will depend on the fibers used to create your chiffon outfit. Dylan makes good all-purpose and acid dyes just like Rit does so the competition between them is going to be tight.
A third close competitor would be Jacquard. This company constantly gets its products in the top lists that review fabric dyes. The best way to go is to try different brands out and see which one works the best for you.
The good news is that these and other brands are sold at Joann’s, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and other fabric outlets. Or you can get them at the big box stores for a little cheaper price, hopefully.
Can You Dye a Chiffon Dress?
Yes, you can but you have to go from a light color to a darker color if you do not want to look a little foolish. Also, you have to check the fibers that make up the dress as not all chiffon dresses can be dyed.
Those dresses that say dry clean only cannot be dyed at all. If the material can’t be washed, it can’t be dyed. Then you have to make sure there are no polyester or synthetic threads used in the dress’s construction.
If there are then you probably will receive a two-toned dress when you are done. Polyester thread, etc., do not change colors when dyed. Read what we have already written about dyeing chiffon before you get started on dyeing your chiffon dress. The information is important.
Chiffon is a delicate fabric that needs to be handled carefully. Sometimes the dyeing process does not have a gentle touch. You can end up ruining your dress if you are not careful. Make sure to follow the directions on the bottles when using a chiffon dye.
How to Dye Chiffon Dress
If you have read everything previously written, and you still want to proceed, here are the instructions to dye a chiffon dress. These instructions are not for every fiber used to make a chiffon dress but serve as an example for you to follow:
- Step 1: You will need acid dye powder, white vinegar, and your washing machine.
- Step 2: Fill a sink, tub, or bucket with undiluted vinegar. Make sure there is enough vinegar in those items to cover the dress. Soak the dress in this liquid for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Fill your washing machine with hot water and just enough to cover the dress. You will need the delicate cycle, hot wash, and a cold rinse.
- Step 4: For a medium color tone use about half the package of acid dye powder. If you want darker add more and if you want lighter, add less than half a pack. Make your decision and add the powder to the water n your washing machine.
- Step 5: Now place your vinegar soaked dress to the mixture and run it through a full cycle.
- Step 6: When the cycle is over remove the dress from the machine. The color will be darker when it is wet so if it isn’t the right shade repeat the process all over again. When satisfied with the color, wash the dress normally on the delicate cycle and hang to dry.
Can You Dye a Chiffon Wedding Dress?
It is possible to do this but the question is, would you want to? The experts seem to agree that doing this job at home is too risky and you will end up ruining your dress. They suggest you get a professional to dye it for you and that way you can have better results.
The reason for these recommendations is that the chiffon fabric may be made of fibers that cannot be dyed. If you have crepe chiffon and polyester with a little silk chiffon, then you are in real trouble as two of the three fibers cannot be died.
If the dress can’t be washed, then you can’t dye it either. We haven’t even got to the thread yet. If that was polyester and white, then it will stay white and stand out from the dyed color your dress changed into.
To have it done professionally, you can go to the wedding boutique that sold you the dress and ask them to dye it for you. If they do not do it they may have contact information to professional dyers who can handle that task with ease.
Or you can go to the custom dyer companies and see if they will do your wedding dress for you. While dyeing your wedding dress is a good idea, you should let the professionals do it for you.
Some Final Words
Chiffon can be dyed. The trick is knowing which fibers the dress or outfit was made from before you go and buy the dye. Some chiffon fibers cannot be dyed simply because they are synthetic or they cannot be washed.
Look before you leap so you do not get disappointed. Be careful trying to dye poly chiffon.
