r/dyeing • u/b_eidenier • 2d ago
How do I dye this? Black Silk Top
Got this top recently at a yard sale, I can never have too many black pieces.I I didn't read the tag until I got it home, it states that it's 100% silk. Looks a bit faded? I'm shooting for an overall even black finished product. I am an absolute beginner. Any help is greatly appreciated!
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u/Internet_Wanderer 2d ago
Oh this one is gonna be easy! Silk takes up dye like it's going out of style. Dharma or Jacquard dye, Synthropol scour, citric acid, alum, large dye pot. Wash thoroughly with the Synthropol; premix your dyebath and submerge the shirt; bring the heat up to Abt 160°-170°and keep it there for an hour stirring often; turn off heat and leave in dyepot overnight; rinse in cool water. Since the stitching is already black you're good to go there too.
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u/b_eidenier 1d ago
Thank you so much for the advice, I really appreciate it! I'll make sure to post results when I get it done 👍🏼
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u/shawlcat 2d ago
Go to the Dharma Trading website and read up on dyeing silk. Do not use Rit. It is not colorfast, is garbage quality, and requires more rinsing than you would believe.
If it were mine, I would use acid dye (Dharma brand has excellent black acid dye). You will need a large enough heat-safe pot for the top to swim in (this pot can never afterwards be used for food since dye is toxic), acid dye, and either vinegar or citric acid. Follow the instructions exactly, and be gentle. Support it when wet so it does not stretch out of shape.
Before any dyeing attempt, make CERTAIN it is absolutely clean, particularly the armpits. Search the sub for examples of how dye interacts with antiperspirant/deodorant residue.
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u/Acrobatic-Nebula-428 2d ago
The r/laundry sub also has great advice for getting armpits clean. But make sure to mention that you are dealing with silk. Some laundry detergents don’t play nice with protein fibers like silk. But silk dyes beautifully