Name: Sharon

Message: I have a dark purple 100% Acetate dress.  Can it be dyed black?  If so, how?  Thanks

No, this is not a good project for a dye novice. In order to dye an acetate dress, you will need to use a special kind of dye called disperse dye, the same kind of dye used for polyester. See "Dyeing Polyester with Disperse Dyes". 

To dye acetate with disperse dye, you will need a very large non-aluminum cooking pot, three gallons or larger and large enough for the dress to move in freely, which you will never again use for food. This pot might cost you more than a new dress! You will need to buy disperse dye by mail order (see "Sources for Dyeing Supplies Around the World"). No other kind of dye will work; you must not use all-purpose dye, fiber reactive dye, or acid dye, as they will all wash out of acetate. Before you buy the dye, weigh the dress. You will need at least 15 grams of black disperse dye for every pound that the dress weighs. The dress will need to be heated in the dyebath, with the disperse dye and an acid such as vinegar, to the temperature of a high simmer, 205°F (96°C), and held at that temperature, stirring constantly, for half an hour to an hour.

This can work, if you are willing to devote a suitable pot to dyeing, and if your dress will survive near-boiling temperatures for an extended period of time. However, it is likely that there will be some shrinkage or damage to the acetate, which may change the fit of the dress. If the dress is marked as being dry clean only, or washable only in cool or warm water, you will not be able to dye it at all. 

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