A fabric dyeing question - silk dress?

[maybemyrtle]

Hello. I've never dyed silk before so I need some advice please. I have this dress which is lovely but for the red bit. I was thinking of trying to dye the whole thing a slightly darker blue, navy basically. There's no red thread to stand out and the lining is solid blue. Would it dye a uniform colour or would I end up with a purple bit instead of red, and is there anything else obvious that could go wrong? Not sure which type of dye to use - I'm used to the "bung it in the machine" all in ones and think this might be more complicated...?

AFAIK the red bit on the dress would come out purple. But if you don't wear the dress as it is, there isn't much to lose by dyeing it. It might be nice. I can't remember quite how to do it, it is aeons since I dyed silk. I think I was a student. But I do remember the result was fine. Perfect.

In order to get the red bit blue you'd have to strip the colour first which obviously wouldn't be possible. If you don't like it as it is it might be more sensible to sell it on ebay in good condition & buy something else.

Another problem is there is some silk you can't use water on - it changes colour & does something weird to the fabric. I've found some to be ok - I wash some of my silk summer dresses, but I've got a jacket that can't be washed. So there's a % chance you could ruin it.

If you do dye it use a washing machine dye as the colour is very even

Hmm food for thought, thanks. I wouldn't mind I think if it turned purple, that'd be a bit more subdued than the red and should blend in better. Interesting about the silk that can't get wet, I do wash mine usually in the washing machine but haven't tried with this dress.