Message: Hi there I have a dark green silk taffeta dress that I want to dye black...what kind of dye do I use and how should I do it?
thanks for you time

If it's washable, you can dye it with either acid dyes (such as are used for wool and nylon) or with reactive dyes (such as are used for tie-dyeing cotton).  If it's not washable, you will not be able to dye it.

Most black reactive dyes will not dye a true black on silk, since they are calibrated for use on cotton, but you can mail order a Procion MX dye called "Silk Black" from PRO Chemical & Dye, and use it with soda ash in the washing machine. See "How can I dye clothing or fabric in the washing machine?".

There are several different types of acid dye that you can use. Dyeing in the washing machine would be easiest and would help to prevent uneven splotchy dyeing. You can find instructions for washing-machine dyeing with Jacquard Acid Dye on the Jacquard Products web site. You will need three ounces of the Jacquard Black Acid Dye powder to dye a pound of silk. Lighter colros do not require nearly as much dye.

All-purpose dye will also work on silk. A problem of which people frequently complain, however, for all-purpose dye, is that the black dye produces a color other than black, such as dark purple. All-purpose dye has the advantage of being easy to find. Common brands available in local stores include Rit All Purpose Tint and Dye and Tintex Easy Fabric Dye. These dyes are known for bleeding badly whenever the item is washed, so if you use one of them, be sure in the future to always hand wash the dress separately, in cool water, or have it dry cleaned.

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