Can I dye a wedding dress with Rit dye?

Terri
by Terri

A friend of mine is getting married shortly and would love to have a dramatic black wedding dress.She has changed her mind AFTER buying her beautiful blush colored gown.Does anyone know if Rit dye can be used? Her gown is satin, lace and organza.Thank you,Terri

  13 answers
  • Em Em on Aug 15, 2019

    Satin can be a difficult fabric to dye. The glossy surface of this fabric doesn't absorb dyes easily, making it easy for the dyes to wash out. In addition, because satin can be made with a variety of fibers (such as polyester, silk or nylon), the method of dying the satin dress will differ.

    Silk organza and silk crêpe are extremely easy to dye with silk dye or with fiber reactive dye. Polyester organza and polyester crêpe cannot be dyed except with disperse dye (see "Dyeing Polyester with Disperse Dyes"; the same is true of acetate and acrylic.

    Instead of ruining the dress why not consider a black topper or adding black accents to the dress.

  • Shore grandmom Shore grandmom on Aug 15, 2019

    I agree with Em, look for ways to accent the dress. Can some black lace be added? Maybe add some black beading on both the dress and veil? I dyed a white wedding dress red and the outside of the dress shrunk while the two linings didn't. It was for a play, so I just hemmed both layers of the lining. You really don't want to take a chance that she won't be able to wear it at all.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Aug 15, 2019

    My daughter dyed her wedding dress. She disassembled, dyed, and re assembled. She also added sleeves. Here's the "before"

  • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Aug 15, 2019

    NO Rit dye........ unless you know for sure what the Satin is made of/what fibers polyester? Silk? Satin is a weave, not a fiber. Satin can be made out of many different natural or synthetic fibers. This means that it is impossible to tell you how to dye your satin without knowing what fiber your satin is made of. If you have a dress made of polyester satin, the answer will be completely different than if your dress is made of 100% natural silk satin. here is good info. on dyeing different types of satin & how to do it correctly http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/FAQ/satin.shtml

  • For something as important as a wedding dress, I would pay someone to do it. A lot of dry cleaners/ alteration shops offer this service.

  • I would contact a professional for this. I have visions of her beautiful dress being ruined. I don't think it will turn out how you are hoping

  • Bouzekrivilla Bouzekrivilla on Aug 26, 2022

    Do you want to repaint the dress that your friend chose in black?

  • Emingcas Emingcas on Aug 26, 2022

    Do you want to repaint the dress that your friend chose in black?

  • Andermant Andermant on Aug 26, 2022


    It seems to me that repainting a wedding dress is a bad idea, especially if the wedding is very soon. It is better to choose between being at the wedding in this dress in color it is now or buying another dress, for example, at https://www.bellabarnett.com/collections/mini-dresses already in the desired black color. You can ruin the dress by painting since painting fabrics requires skill, and if it is not there, there is a great risk of getting an unexpectedly unpleasant result.

  • Mogie Mogie on Apr 03, 2023

    You can but it isn't easy. Perhaps you should contact a professional and ask them how much they would charge to do this. That could always be your present to the bride and groom.

  • MitchellShepherd MitchellShepherd on Dec 27, 2023

    It's lovely that you were helping your friend with her wedding dress choices! Dyeing a wedding dress can be a bold and unique decision, especially going from blush to dramatic black. However, since the thread is four years old, I hope everything went smoothly for your friend's wedding.And speaking of preserving memories, if your friend did go ahead with this dramatic choice, I hope they captured the moment beautifully with a Wedding Videographer. These professionals can document the journey and create a visual story to be cherished forever. You can explore options like https://www.the-wedding-videographer.co.uk/wedding-videographer-sunderland for their expert videography services.

  • Janice Janice on Dec 28, 2023

    I would NOT dye the wedding dress. It's very difficult to get a true black when dying most any fabric. Keep in mind that different types of fabrics accept dye in differing strengths (depths). I once attempted to dye lingerie from light aqua to black and it came out sort of flat grey....not at all what I planned. Best to choose a different black dress and perhaps sell the blush one at PoshMark or another online resale venue.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Dec 29, 2023

    Don't touch it. Sell it and buy a new one. You could very well ruin the dress - Satin has to be drycleaned. You could ask at the drycleaners, but they will not guaruntee the dye will be successful. You could ask a dressmaker to make you one.