Thread: Have you ever had a costume dyed???

So I have this gorgeous samba style yellow sim. Only problem is the color was not accuratein the description and when i got it it was REALLY neon yellow/green. I am thinking of possibly having it dyed a nice medium to dark color. Has anyone ever had a lycra costume dyed? what was your experience? Doe sit really work and place the color evenly?

Yes. I have dyed Lycra before, it does work... (yea superhero costumes!)

BUT I only dyed pure cloth, there were no accessories, fringe, cutouts, etc on it... Sims are known for those, right? The heat bath might warp/ disolve the threads! You might want to post a picture of the costume first to discuss with other girl, unless the part you want to dye comes attached!

You should ALWAYS practice on scrap cloth, I don't want you to ruin a beautiful costume T_T

Here is a thread on a popular costume site (Japanese anamation costumes)
http://www.cosplay.com/showthread.php?t=207232

Which offers this link (on google too)
http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/FAQ/spandex.shtml

I'm no expert on dyeing, but you'd be surprise what you can colour: I've actualy dyed a synthetic/plastic wig before! (Acrlic ink, rubbing alcohol)

I overdye nylon/lycra blend garments (that are costume components) all the time with Jacquard acid dyes (which dye nylon as well as silk) -- things like dance trunks or skirts -- in order to tweak the color slightly and make them match other costume components.

Only once did I dye something that had decorations sewn on. I made a silk skirt, dyed it light gold, then trimmed it with gold glass beads and paillettes. Then I decided to overdye it deep red. Everything came out okay except the paillettes. They didn't look terrible, but they warped slightly and lost most of their shine.

I have also dyed antique assuit (successfully). So I think I'm fairly adventurous when it comes to dying.

Things I would worry about in contemplating dyeing a fully beaded costume:
1. Color/shine/metallic finish washing off the beads
2. Color/shine/metallic finish washing off the sequins (some sequins are colored with water-soluable paints and dyes)
3. Polyester thread (which is likely what is used to construct the costume and do the beadwork) will not take dye, so you might end up with alot of mismatched thread being obvious.
4. Getting all the dye bath rinsed out of hte beadwork. I envision dye hiding in the bugle beads, or under pronged rhinestones, only to seep out later (say when you start sweating in your costume) staining your skin (or a veil, or a chair you sit down on, etc.).

Also, you would not be able to shift to any color, nor would you be able to go lighter. If the costume is yellow, your best bets would be:
deepening the yellow
going to orange
going to green

Originally Posted by ssipes

I overdye nylon/lycra blend garments (that are costume components) all the time with Jacquard acid dyes (which dye nylon as well as silk) -- things like dance trunks or skirts -- in order to tweak the color slightly and make them match other costume components.

Only once did I dye something that had decorations sewn on. I made a silk skirt, dyed it light gold, then trimmed it with gold glass beads and paillettes. Then I decided to overdye it deep red. Everything came out okay except the paillettes. They didn't look terrible, but they warped slightly and lost most of their shine.

I have also dyed antique assuit (successfully). So I think I'm fairly adventurous when it comes to dying.

Things I would worry about in contemplating dyeing a fully beaded costume:
1. Color/shine/metallic finish washing off the beads
2. Color/shine/metallic finish washing off the sequins (some sequins are colored with water-soluable paints and dyes)
3. Polyester thread (which is likely what is used to construct the costume and do the beadwork) will not take dye, so you might end up with alot of mismatched thread being obvious.
4. Getting all the dye bath rinsed out of hte beadwork. I envision dye hiding in the bugle beads, or under pronged rhinestones, only to seep out later (say when you start sweating in your costume) staining your skin (or a veil, or a chair you sit down on, etc.).

Also, you would not be able to shift to any color, nor would you be able to go lighter. If the costume is yellow, your best bets would be:
deepening the yellow
going to orange
going to green

thanks girls lots to think about. it would be a heavy duty process. o would have to take off alllll the stones and beads...not sure its worth taking off all of sims work. goodness i am just so mad about the whole thing. its a stunning sim really upscale and fun but if i could just have it be darkened a bit. i dont know what to do now....

Yeah, I wouldn't go through the risk and hassle of dying it. Either keep it as is, or sell it and order a new one while it's still in new condition.

Originally Posted by Lesedi

Yeah, I wouldn't go through the risk and hassle of dying it. Either keep it as is, or sell it and order a new one while it's still in new condition.

this is a used costume so i cant return it to sim. I am soo bummed. i wish i could change the color but i guess theres no way boo.

What about tie dye?

I know, sounds weird, but maybe it would tone down the yellow enough.

I think it could be quite pretty---there are many techniques you can use to get different effects. My favorite is the 'crystal' pattern because it's dramatic.

I'm working on a costume for a friend that is PINK...I mean FUSCHIA, Barbie doll fantastic PINK. I cut the skirt below the heavily beaded portion and am making circle skirt panels to attach to it in black and purple sparkly fabric. It really cut the glare of that color and added alot more movement and old school glam to it. Maybe you could do this to yours? It does take alot of fabric to make circle skirts but it's worth it.

Originally Posted by ssipes

I overdye nylon/lycra blend garments (that are costume components) all the time with Jacquard acid dyes (which dye nylon as well as silk) -- things like dance trunks or skirts -- in order to tweak the color slightly and make them match other costume components.

I'm tempted to try this now, but was the lycra damaged by the high heat from the dye bath? It didn't stretch out of shape?