Name: Margy
Message: I just bought a beautiful URU skirt on eBay; it is a fuschia silk jacquard matelasse (cloque). I would like to tone it down a little and add some brown tones to it. Is this possible?

You can dye a washable silk garment with acid dyes. See 
http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/aciddyes.shtml for more info about acid dyes, http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/dyesources.shtml for a list of dye suppliers around the world from whom you can buy good dye, and http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/FAQ/washingmachine.shtml for information on the method you should use, which is dyeing in the washing machine with Jacquard acid dyes.

All-purpose dyes, such as Rit brand dye, will also work when used on silk in extremely hot water with an acid such as vinegar, but the color is unpredictable.

If the skirt is dry-clean-only, do not attempt to dye it. There is no way to dye a garment without washing it.

(Please help support this web site. Thank you.)