Name: Katy
Message: I am wondering how to dye color images to white nylon opaque tights. I would like to know what dye to use, how I should put the image on (stamp / drawing the image onto the tights with dye/ etc.) How I should wash them after dying without the dye running. I have no idea how to do this and I would really appreciate your help.

Nylon may be dyed with acid dyes or stamped or painted with fabric paints, but I think that the easiest and most fun way to do your project may be to create dye transfers using a special kind of dye called disperse dye.

Disperse dye is commonly used to dye polyester, which cannot be dyed with any other type of dye, but it will also work with nylon.

The way to do this is to draw or paint or stamp with disperse dye on paper, then iron the design onto the tights. After ironing on the design, you may re-color the paper, to iron on again, if you wish to have repeating identical designs. The dye may be purchased in the form of 'Transfer Fabric Crayons' (not to be confused with wax crayons, which will not work!!), or as dye powder which can be mixed with water to make paint.

While the fabric crayons can often be found in fabric stores or crafts stores, even giant stores such as Walmart, the paint must be mail-ordered from a dye supplier; many such suppliers are listed on my Sources for Supplies page.

For more information on the use of disperse dye, see "Dyeing Polyester with Disperse Dyes"; the information on how to create iron-on disperse dye transfers applies to nylon as well.


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