Name: Tracie
Message: I want to dye a white king size duvet cover a dark red colour. How much dye would I need to use - and is it better to do it by hand?

A piece that large is going to be a difficult job to do, if you want a single smooth solid color. It's difficult to apply dye evenly to something too big to be easily stirred, and then you will have to wash out the excess dye afterwards. It's not something I can recommend that you do in a bathtub. 

How much dye will you need? That depends on what kind of dye you use, and what fiber your duvet cover is made of. It doesn't matter how much dye you use, if it's the wrong type of dye for your fiber type. Weigh your cover, and then you can adapt a dye recipe to suit the weight of your fabric.

It is most important to figure out what fiber the duvet cover's fabric is made of, and choose your dye type based on that. It's pretty easy to dye cotton or silk, and if you use the right kind of dye plus some acid, you can dye wool or nylon, but there are some fibers that are not practical to dye. I do not recommend that you bother trying to dye a duvet cover made of a synthetic fiber such as polyester or acetate. I also do not recommend dyeing anything that is treated to be stain-resistant or permanent-press.

Can you fit the duvet cover in your washing machine? If so, that will be by far the best way to dye it, if you have a top-loader washing machine. See "How can I dye clothing or fabric in the washing machine?".

If your duvet cover is made of cotton, linen, rayon, or dyeable bamboo, you can use Procion MX  dyes. Other fibers require different dyes, most of which can be applied only by boiling them with the fabric, which makes them impractical for a large piece like yours. See "Choosing the Right Dye for your Fiber".

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