Anyone ever home dye a pair of fabric shoes?

[pjlla]

I know they dye shoes at the bridal shoes, but I want to try something at home. I have a pair of (vegan) Dansko clogs. They are a medium blue velour type fabric. When I bought them years ago I had hoped they would match my jeans a bit more, but they don't, so they rarely get worn. And meanwhile I've searched and searched for an affordable pair of BLACK Danskos..... I adore the shoes, but not the prices and I just haven't had any luck finding an affordable pair.

Anyhow, long story short, the thought came to me yesterday that if I dyed the blue shoes black, I would kill two birds with one stone.... I'd rid my closet of a pair of shoes that don't see much use AND I'd have a pair of comfy black Danskos!

I know I probably shouldn't put them into a washing machine as if I were dying a flat piece of fabric or an article of clothing. I was thinking about making up a "paint" from RIT dye and sponging it onto the shoes. I figure black is exceedingly forgiving and I could do it more than once if the first go-round wasn't dark enough. Any ideas/suggestions or has anyone else tried anything like this?...............P

 

[ready123go]

I haven't done this, but you might find some great info on PurseForum (PurseBlog).

I have read a couple of accounts of people that have used "Jacquard" fabric paint (Amazon) for sprucing up their Dooney & Bourke handbags. You could look into that product.

Good luck! Let us know how it turns out!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

My old neighbor dyed a pair of bridal shoes in a plastic tub in her backyard for her daughters prom shoes. It worked great.

Since you don't wear the shoes anyways, get a plastic tub or something fill it with water and dye and give it a try. The worst that could happen is you need to throw out the shoes and since you aren't wearing them as is anyway it wouldn't be a big loss.

You could try googling for dyeing shoe ideas too and see if anything comes up.

 

[Distinkt]

I have not tried dyeing shoes, but have spent a lot of hours dyeing fabric, ballet slippers, and leotards for ballet costumes. It's hard to get a good dark color like black or brown, but since they are already blue it might work. I think the paint idea might work. I have used a large stock pot with heated water, a little salt, and dye on the stove to do slippers, but the paint idea might work better if you want a good dark color. Word of advice, after you dye them take them to the sink or even a water hose and rinse them with cold water until the water runs clear. I do wonder if you get them wet they might later run, but since you aren't using them much anyway it is worth a try.

 

[MISSYLEXI]

I have died shoes before. I used a 5 gallon bucket and the Rit die boxes. I purchased the cheap canvas shoes from Walmart. Just follow directions on the box and place shoes in the water. Be sure to weigh the shoes down so that they are totally under water, any part that is not in water will not get colored. Good luck!