Name: Janet
Message: My daughter was given a bridal veil (netting with appliques) that is white. Her dress is ivory. Could we successfully dye the veil to match? If yes, how? We only have 5 days to the wedding!

Dyeing an item of unknown fiber content, just days before it is needed, is a very risky procedure. What will you do if the results are not suitable? Normally, it takes quite a lot of experience to be able to duplicate a desired color. The idea of novices doing this as their very first dyeing project fills me with dread.

The veil itself is probably made of nylon. Nylon picks up dye very readily in the presence of vinegar or other mild acid, when heated in a mixture of dye and water. If your veil contained only nylon, without appliqués, this project might be a reasonable one. You could simmer your veil in coffee for a while, until it picked up the desired tone, then rinse it out thoroughly. However, different fibers take dye to drastically different levels. If the veil is polyester, it will take up a little coffee color after it has boiled for a good long while; if the appliqués are made of nylon, they will take the color far more strongly.

Depending on the actual fiber content of the veil and the appliqués, you might end up with a tan veil with tan appliqués—or you might end up with a brown veil, or a white veil with tan appliqués, or a tan veil with white appliqués.

I am sorry that I cannot be more encouraging about this last-minute project. It's just impossible to predict what will happen if you attempt to dye this veil, given the fact that the fiber contents of the different parts of the veil are unknown. Disaster is not at all unlikely. It is best to embark on such unpredictable projects at least several months in advance of their projected use; it's unfortunate that you were given this veil so much at the last minute. It would be wiser to use the veil in its current color than to attempt to dye it by this weekend.

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