Name: Debbie Stone
Message: I want to dye a vintage pill box hat for my daughter's Jackie Kennedy project. The hat is made of "shimmery white material" with a bow on top. What is the best way to do this?
Thanks so much for your help.

This is a very difficult question to answer without knowing the fiber content of the hat, because different fibers require completely different types of dye and methods of dye application.

Natural fibers, such as cotton and silk, which are by far the easiest fibers to dye, can be woven into a shiny weave, such as satin or taffeta, so it is impossible from your description to know whether you have a natural or synthetic material. Rayon (also known as viscose rayon) is a synthetic fiber that is as easily dyed as cotton, as they are both cellulose fibers; it is easily found in vintage materials, having been first produced commercially around 1910. Acetate is a chemically altered form of rayon which is completely unlike cotton and cannot be dyed easily at home. Nylon, a synthetic which was introduced in the 1930s, is dyed with the same dyes and techniques as wool. Polyester, which was introduced in the 1950s, is very difficult to dye at home.

Perhaps the best approach would be to avoid dyeing altogether, and use a high quality fabric paint. Fabric paint contains a coloring agent plus a special form of glue which attaches the pigment to the fiber. Lumiere is a brand which is available in a variety of nice metallic and pearl colors.