Dye Painting a Goodwill Wedding dress

[jelliebellieellie]

Hi, this is my first post, so please be nice Sorry if i make any faux pas.

So, I bought a wedding dress at goodwill to use for my senior pictures. (odd I know, but that's just kinda the way I roll!) It worked fantastically for that, and looked gorgeous draped over my horse and as I semi-trashed it frolicking through the local swamp..... Then I threw it in a bag, stuffed that in my closet and didn't think about it until yesterday, when I found it again.

It really wasn't that dirty, so I decided to play with it. I took it in some so it fit better , took out ALL the pickups, and cut off the train. I was left with a plain, cream colored, a-line satin-y dress, which was far to plain for me, and still looked like a wedding dress.

So, being me, I mixed up a package of navy blue RIT dye, laid the dress on some towels and trash bags, and painted abstract stripes, swirls, and splatters of navy dye all over it, and the bottom fourth of the skirt completely navy blue with an ombre effect. I love it! But, now I'm worried I messed up.....
after painting, I let it dry overnight, without rinsing it out at all. The bottom portion of the dress is still a tad damp, but it's getting drier.

Can i just wait until it is completely dry, or do i have to rinse it? Being a goodwill dress, it is missing the tags and thus i have no idea if it is dry clean only or what.

here is what it looks like...
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150979057034303&set=a.10150565546774303.398353.613919302&type=1&ref=nf


and this is the original dress (the bolero and sash were just worn with it...)https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=297385336940635&set=t.613919302&type=3&theater

[Abbeeroad]

Cool idea!

Yes, you can just let it dry completely (although you probably have already at this point).

Your problem might come when you try to wash it. Satin is tricky to dye, especially with something like RIT. If it has polyester in it at all, the dye will probably just wash right out. I had this happen to me with some fabric scraps I got at the thrift store. Have you tried washing yet? How's the dye holding up?

Good luck!

[jelliebellieellie]

I let the navy blue dry all the way, then added green and pink dye. I used a hair dryer to get it all the way dry quicker, then ironed it on the highest heat the fabric could stand with no steam. Someone told me that that would help set the color. I also added a halter top out of black soft tule, and I am so pleased I will probably never wash it, as i only plan to wear it once or twice (it's definatly a FORMAL dress....I have a thing for them. This is the fourth one I have made this year...) , and if I happen to get something on it I might try having it dry cleaned. So I think I'm set. I did clip a piece off the bottom one it was dry, and it didn't run when i got it wet, not even when i soaked it. I am going to post pictures of it once I finish the hem in completed projects! Be sure to look for it, I'm really proud of it 

[Abbeeroad]

Awesome! So glad it worked out! Thanks for the update!