I have a particular period (renaissancy) white shirt which is dry-clean only according to the tag. Unfortunately that’s the only thing the tag mentions. It doesn’t say what the material is.
I just joined an organization that has a uniform policy of red shirt and black pants and I really like this shirt so I was thinking about dying it red. Also these type of shirts tend to be pricey.
Is such a thing possible? Should I just find another, red shirt?
If the red has to be close to everyone else’s red, then I would say go look for another shirt. Reds are kind of hard to match sometimes.
If not, then I would suggest maybe snipping off a small piese of fabric from under where the hem turns up (so it won’t missed or seen) and trying it in some good 'ol liquid Rit dye to see how it “takes”. However, I would only suggest doing that if the shirt is of a fabric that looks like it won’t ravel if you snip some off…or if you have access to someone who sews and can do a small repair if needed.
I made costumes for years …out of just about every type of fabric imaginable. I have been told by several fabric vendors that most garment that say “dry clean only” are labeled that way not because the fabric will shrink, but because interfacing materials (inside the collar, cuffs, etc.) may have not been preshrunk and may do so if they are washed. I often hand wash “Dry Clean Only” clothes, and have yet to have a disaster. Of course, YMMV.
Maybe someone who is more experienced in the world of dry cleaning will happen by…