Wear rubber gloves when you work with fabric dye.
Silk responds to dye differently than other fibers do: dye colors are dramatically lightened and shifted when applied to silk. Black dye often yields a dark brown or maroon color. To dye your silk robe dark brown, try a dark brown dye first. You can always dye it a second time with black if the color isn't dark enough.
Instructions
1. Read the dye manufacturer's instructions carefully. Acid dyes are the best choice for silk fibers, but there are other packaged dyes that can be used on silk. Be sure you purchased a dye kit that specifies that it can be used on silk.
2. Wear rubber gloves and an apron while working so that you don't get chemicals or dye on your skin and clothing.
3. Wet the robe as directed in the dye instructions. Generally this involves soaking the robe in warm water, usually along with additives provided in your dye kit.
4. Dissolve the dye in water according to the manufacturer's directions. This creates your dye bath. If your dye needs to be simmered, create a double boiler by placing a metal bowl over a pot of boiling water. Use a cooking thermometer to check the temperature if necessary.
5. Place the wet robe into the dye bath and stir with a wooden or metal spoon.
6. Time the dye bath precisely and stir constantly for even color results. Some dye kits suggest adding distilled vinegar to the dye bath toward the end of the simmer cycle; only do this if your kit calls for it.
7. Allow the dye bath to cool and remove the robe. Follow your dye kit's instructions on how long to rinse the fabric.
8. Set the dye, if required. Some dyes require steaming in order to set. Place a metal vegetable steamer in a pot and add a small amount of water. Place the robe in the steamer, cover it, and boil the water for the time specified in your kit.
9. Rinse the robe and allow it to air-dry. Repeat the process with darker dye if the color isn't dark enough.
Tags: dark brown, color dark, color dark enough, dark enough, Place robe
