Dye?

[Mme de Beaufort]

I love my white dress. Mostly because it fits me so well, and I love the jaquard weave on it. However, I am tired of white. So I'm thinking of dyeing it and changing the neckline on it.

What say you? Oui, Non? What are your experiences with applying dye to fabric? I've never done it before.

If you think I should.... What colours do you suggest?

www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/3796-AA.shtml?lnav=dyes.html

I'm leaning towards a wedgewood blue. Blue-grey, cerulean blue is pretty; I'm seeing a theme here... lavender might be pretty (my wedding colour) or wisteria, or the claret colour. Thoughts?

[cosmoblue]

Nooooooo!

Now I know that I am biased, as you can see by the quote under my picture, but I do not think you should even consider dying it. I was thinking that I would originally have made my gown for the party in color, but Now I think that the majority of my gowns will be white.

I shall now direct you to The Jane Austen Centre's online magazine Article on The Importance Of Wearing White:
www.janeausten.co.uk/magazine/page.ihtml?pid=73&step=4

Please Don't Dye!

[Mme de Beaufort]

White is for young women, isn't it? Arent' married women supposed to wear colours?

[cosmoblue]

No, white is THE color.

The article says:
"In 1808, Jane Austen wrote her sister about a dinner party at which, "Mrs. Powlett was at once both expensively and nakedly dressed; we have had the satisfaction of estimating her Lace and Muslin." Mrs. Powlett's white muslin and lace gown was probably very sheer and worn over flesh-colored silk undergarments and stockings, to hint at her naked flesh beneath the dress."

Also look at how many portraits of married women show them with their children wearing white.

[Mme de Beaufort]

::::::::sigh::::::::

It's a pretty fabric, I know. But I need to switch it up. Maybe I'll just sew a new day-dress and retire red. Miss Ida, do you want my red gown?

[cosmoblue]

If you are bored with your gowns you should absolutely make a new day gown. Though I think hat you should keep the red gown because everyone thinks it looks so lovely on you. Just make more gowns and rotate frequently. Build up your wardrobe.