I'm taking on a huge (for me) project! - Big Big Forums

denisemm · 11-30-2002, 02:21 AM

I found a vintage wool (or maybe its just acrylic, there's no tag & I'm not sure, but its old so I think it might really be wool) coat, and want to dye it black, replace the lining and the buttons, and maybe alter it a bit. I havent' sewed at all for like 5 or 6 years, but I won a sewing machine last week (I haven't even gotten it yet) on ebay & I can't wait to get it. I will test it out on other things first before I go to the coat, but it will be my first big venture. Any advice?? Do you think I should dye it, or will that hurt it? Its sort of a rust color now, I got plenty of dye, but I just wonder if it is acrylic will it take ok. And if its woll is it ok to dye?

I got the coat for $6.49 at a thrift store, and I spent $16 on new lining, thread & buttons (I'm going to cover the bottons with the same fabric as the lining).

Gumball1960 · 12-01-2002, 11:38 PM

I would say call a dry cleaner or a seamstress and ask them. They might have a better idea of who to talk to if they don't know.

denisemm · 12-03-2002, 02:20 AM

Well, I killed it! I took out the lining, and that mesh or webbing look, like the back of acrylic, so I though it was acrylic, so I washed & dried it. It turns out that mesh inside was not part of the woll, just pressed together, came off inthe washer or dryer, and now the coat is literally half the size it was before I washed it! I'm so sad! ANd it smells like a wet animal. *Sigh*, oh well, I'm sure I will find another good deal, I'm pretty good at that! Lesson learned I guess!