[Paul]

Hi guys. I've been looking at kilt jackets and there's one in the style that I want on clearance, but it's navy blue instead of my desired black. As I'd be saving £150, though, it may be worth trying to dye it black.
The jacket is a thin wool, like a regular wool suit jacket.

Does anyone know how I could go about dying it?

[Semiomniscient]

My dad has had skill dying wool hose from off-white to various shades of blue, green, and pink. But trying to get something from navy to black might not work quite as intended. Why not keep it navy blue? Too many people wear black kilt jackets anyway. Mine are royal blue and burgundy and I never am wearing what everyone else is.
But if you are intent upon the black, perhaps just waiting until you get what you want will be better. Or maybe you should get the navy blue and use it until you find a good deal on a black one... that is unless somebody here has done what you're trying to do... but I doubt it. Kilt jackets aren't any trinkets to experiment on too often.

[MacLowlife]

Paul, There is a spray product for suede and fabric shoes that might work, but I think I would try it on something besides a brand new, perfectly good navy jacket. I agree with Semi-O: too many people wear black.

[Pleater]

If it is a dark navy blue then under electric light it might look blacker than black - which can take on a green sheen.

The problem with black is that it takes a lot of dye to achieve black rather than grey, and an already made up garment might have linings and facings which also take up the dye, so increasing the amount required even further.

Some dyes require heat to set them, which could easily ruin your jacket by causing either the wool or other component to shrink.

I'd advise, if you can live with navy blue, then buy the jacket, otherwise, leave it be, so you are not tempted to tinker with the colour and possibly ruin it.

Anne the Pleater

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Pleater

If it is a dark navy blue then under electric light it might look blacker than black - which can take on a green sheen.

The problem with black is that it takes a lot of dye to achieve black rather than grey, and an already made up garment might have linings and facings which also take up the dye, so increasing the amount required even further.

Some dyes require heat to set them, which could easily ruin your jacket by causing either the wool or other component to shrink.

I'd advise, if you can live with navy blue, then buy the jacket, otherwise, leave it be, so you are not tempted to tinker with the colour and possibly ruin it.

Anne the Pleater

Thanks for your advice. I may well have to leave it unless there's a good chance of success. Grey wouldnt be much of a problem, though.

[svc40bt]

Unless you have a very large tub and lots of dye (and probably even if you do), I would think it would be difficult to get a made up garment evenly dyed.

I dyed a couple yards of white cotton canvas bright orange in a turkey fryer 13" (33 cm) diameter, 16" (41 cm) high. Still came out blotchy, but it was for my sons' Halloween costumes so no big deal.

Don't think I would try it on a fine wool jacket.

[Hothir Ethelnor]

I have an east german army jacket that I dyed from a stone green colour to a nice charcoal black using nothing more than cheap fabric store dyes (rit) I did it in a large bucket with hot water and let the jacket hang to dry, it didn't shrink much at all and it looks quite nice.

pre dye.



After dyeing

[Bassbarijpm]

Hi: I guess I warn againits it. If you are saving about $225 US, then you are getting a quality jacket. Unless you take this to some place that professional dye's things I leave it as is. Rememberr that the fabric used in jackets is often dyed when is is spun and not after it is made in to fabric. I've tried dying wool and it's neve come out as desired. Dyeing cotton and dying wool with the same product give very diffent results. Remeber wool is always slighly water resistant and may have natural oil in it. If you want to test it find a simularly colored wool jacket at a thrift store and test dye that.

[vorpallemur]

Originally Posted by Paul.

Hi guys. I've been looking at kilt jackets and there's one in the style that I want on clearance, but it's navy blue instead of my desired black. As I'd be saving £150, though, it may be worth trying to dye it black.
The jacket is a thin wool, like a regular wool suit jacket.

Does anyone know how I could go about dying it?

Don't even think about it. Kilt jackets are structured garments, and consist of a whole lot more than just the shell and the lining. Soaking it in 160 F water will ruin the canvas.

Were you talking about a cheap thrift coat or something, I might try it. But not a new one that cost money. Buy black one, or live with blue.

[Hothir Ethelnor]

My try was successful so it can be done. But the military jacket I used was built quite differently than a suit jacket would be.

I was also only risking $20 you have to take into account the possibility of having no jacket at all if you try it.