Dyeing dresses??

Afraid I've got no idea about dyeing but how about looking in places like Debenhams or Monsoon? They have some lovely dresses.

I wouldn't risk dying an already made up dress (I'd dye fabric but not an already made garment IYSWIM). While it is technically possible, depending on the style of dress, there are so many pitfalls it's unreal. Firstly, if your dress is a man made fibre (or even a polyester mix) you can't due it properly. Polyester (this covers most satins) needs to be dyed in an industrial pressure chamber during the manufacturing process. You can colour it slightly afterwards but it just won't hold the dye properly so if you tried for cadbury purple you'd end up with a lilac colour, which might not even throughout the dress. Silk and cotton dye much better but the chances are the thread is going to be polyester so you'll potentially end up with white thread on a purple dress. The fact that the garment is already stictched up could also mean that dye "pools" in certain areas so your colour could end up patchy.

If you're looking for a bridesmaid type dress in purple then check out the bridesmaids sections in wedding shops (or debenhams, or monsoon or wherever). You'll be able to choose whatever colour you like and there are some stunning BM dresses out there. I think a few brides on here have gone with BM dresses in white or ivory rather than a full "wedding dress".

I am sure that you could get it professionally done- it is straightforward to dye something light into something dark. I would have it done professionally so that it looks even.

I would second getting a BM dress in the right shade from a wedding dress shop. We are having that shade of purple for our BMS and quite a few designers do that colour so it would be easier to get hold of, plus, they are still gorgeous dresses, just a darn sight cheaper!

Hi Gracey

Are you wanting something like these?

First 2 are from Coast and the 3rd is Debenhams.... HTH - there's quite a few online in that deep purple colour.... xxx

Gracey - following on from our earlier conversation.

I nearly bought a dress from Debenhams debut range they are really nice x