Thread: Dyeing Bodystockings - success?

Before I make my own, I love Sugar Petals, because she has the Power Net body stocking, and it sure has POWER, lol... smooths out all the bumps.

Anywooo, she doesn't have all the colors like she use to. Or, she never did and I overlooked it.

Has anyone had success with dyeing them? It needs it to be a true color.

Let me know what you have done.

I dyed a white one pink to match one of my costumes. I used Rit dye on my stove-top and it worked great.

I think I left it in too long though. I wanted a slightly lighter color. Oh well.

You can see it here. 5th column over 2nd row down. It is a pink costume.
Photo Gallery: www.crystalbellydance.com Performance Photos

Just a little warning here -- don't let your power mesh get too hot in the dyeing process. The lycra in it doesn't like heat.

Thanks for the tips!

Hi, I emailed the folks at Sugar Petals recently to ask about dying a bodysuit - I had inquired about the stretch net (not power net), and they very kindly responded with the following info (I am not sure which of the ladies at SugarPetals responded since she did not sign her name):
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QUOTE WITH ADVICE FROM SUGARPETALS RE DYING A POWERNET BODY STOCKING:

"Best bet is a bottle. less messy plus you need intensity. use very hot, not boiling water. use a pot you will never use food in again. Be sure the stocking is clean and totally damp when placed into the dye. Be sure to stir fully and carefully every 10 minutes. Dye tends to settle. If the stocking gets into contact with the bottom too long you get a dark spot. Too long on the top of the dye, at or out of the dye bath too long you get a light spot.

You will want it in the dye at least an hour. Takes a long time. Do not be fooled. A wet stocking in the dye will rinse out and dry lighter."

[End Quote]
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(I believe the advice to use very hot and NOT boiling water is in harmony with previous posts on this thread about how using water that is too hot will break down the lycra and ruin the stretchability and character of the fabric.)

I thought it was kind of SugarPetals to give me this info, really appreciated it, and hope it will be helpful to you also.

-Devora

I have and it turned out great. Just make sure you rinse about a thousand times! I thought I had rinsed it enough then wore it to a gig. My belly was a horrible shade of gray for two days, looked like my middle died!..l;,

Originally Posted by faaria

I have and it turned out great. Just make sure you rinse about a thousand times! I thought I had rinsed it enough then wore it to a gig. My belly was a horrible shade of gray for two days, looked like my middle died!..l;,

..l;,

Originally Posted by faaria

I have and it turned out great. Just make sure you rinse about a thousand times! I thought I had rinsed it enough then wore it to a gig. My belly was a horrible shade of gray for two days, looked like my middle died!..l;,

Rit dye is composed of a mixture of an acid dye and a direct dye. Direct dyes don't form very strong bonds with the fabric, so they do tend to wash and rub out.

If your powermesh is made of nylon and spandex, then you can dye it without the direct dye by using an acid dye in a pot on the stove, being careful not to get it too hot. Jacquard's acid dyes are pretty nice and are available in many craft stores -- you could call around. Using the acid dye alone will probably remove the "residual" dye problem.

Originally Posted by tigerb

Rit dye is composed of a mixture of an acid dye and a direct dye. Direct dyes don't form very strong bonds with the fabric, so they do tend to wash and rub out.

If your powermesh is made of nylon and spandex, then you can dye it without the direct dye by using an acid dye in a pot on the stove, being careful not to get it too hot. Jacquard's acid dyes are pretty nice and are available in many craft stores -- you could call around. Using the acid dye alone will probably remove the "residual" dye problem.

That is hilarious, I could imagine melting the body stocking.

But, I will look around. We have Michael's, Joann's, and A.C. Moore. One of them is bound to have it.