Turning black to purple

United States
October 6, 2008 3:53pm CST
I need some help. I want to dress my son up as the Joker for Halloween, but it's impossible to find a purple suit his size. I found a nice black suit today.. I will have to hem the pants, but the rest will do fine. But it's black. I thought some fabric dye will fix it, but it didn't seem to take. What other options do I have to turn black fabric purple?
1 person likes this
4 responses
jacobs12
@jacobs12 (72)
• Philippines
6 Oct 08
I think what you need is a rubberized paint I am not exactly sure of the term but its the one we used when we printed something on our shirt back in my high school. Just paint the whole clothing. Hope that would help.
1 person likes this
jillbeth
@jillbeth (2705)
• United States
7 Oct 08
You can't dye over black or dark colors. Also, if the fabric is man-made (like polyester)it won't take dye. The fabric needs to be cotton or at least a cotton blend. Try using color remover to remove as much of the black as possible, at least to gray, and then try dying it purple again. Be sure to use plenty of dye.
katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
7 Oct 08
The lining is polyester, but the shell is 97% cotton. I don't care about the lining as it won't be shown. I will try to bleach it and try the dye again.
beautyqueen26
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
9 Oct 08
I wish I could help! I don't know much about sewing. I used to crochet some. But I'm sure that won't work for a boy's costume.
GreenMoo
@GreenMoo (11834)
•
23 Oct 08
Fabric dye won't show up on such a dark colour as black, so could you try bleaching it then dying it again? Alternatively, how about wrapping some purple spider web fibers around it to give the colour or even sewing on some purple panels or even accents like sequins? I'm so glad I don't have to make Halloween costumes!