I bought black fabric with white polka dots. What I really want is black with yellow dots. Here is the question, if I dye the fabric with yellow dye will it change the color of the black? I'm hoping that someone has had experience with dying fabrics and can answer this for me. Thank you.

I would do a test strip before I did all the fabric. Just a thought.

First of all, is your fabric 100% cotton? If not (poly/cotton blend), the dye may not 'take' evenly.

Is there a way you could test it out on a small sample?

It is 100% cotton. I suppose I could do a test strip. Thank you for the answers.

I don't think the yellow will affect the black, the only thing that Might happen is the black may bleed and affect the yellow dye.

I didn't think of that. Do you think I should wash it first?

Yes you want the fabric free of sizing and chemicals before dying. When I was in school we learned to Batik and Black was the very last color we dyed because it has all colors in it. Yellow was one of the first colors we dyed. I would test the fabric. But I am thinking that you will have no problem dying the white yellow. You could even "paint" the yellow on with a brush.

Buy the fabric you want. This is wayyyyy too much work. Time+money. I'm alll for saving a buck, but this is too much...

Never tried it, would like to see the outcome.

Wash it first to remove the sizing and DON'T use fabric softner. Then try a test strip. Might be a lot of work but it will be creative. Even if all the dot's don't come out the same color it will make it interesting.

I would have but I can't find it. That's why I'm thinking of dying method.

I've done some dyeing, but can't reliably predict the outcome. It's like baking bread - with the same ingredients, two people will come up with different results. I would wash the fabric thoroughly first, and I use a little borax in the wash to remove skin oil that will change the outcome. No fabric softener.

A lot depends on that black - if it was made by combining other dyes, you may end up with something looking green or rusty. Experiment with it and see what happens. I've overdyed some ugly prints and some have turned out beautifully, but they were covering lighter with darker colors.

I would say that, too.

Thing is...if you buy GOOD dye (fiber reactive) there is a change in the actual makeup of the fibers of the cloth where it opens up slots for the molecules to "take" the dye molecules. I can foresee the black fabric molecules "opening up" and releasing dye molecules and setting them on the white dots, along with your yellow. The dots probably will not turn out good, especially if the fabric is crumpled and dark touches light.

A couple of years ago when I was doing a bunch of blue gradations I was able to overdye a black and white print with the blue. I would do a small piece first and make sure to wash the fabric before.

Make a sample. You can also sponge the dotted area & not dye the whole thing. Make sure your black does not run into the dots!

I took a dying class and what has been said is what I learned. I took ugly fabric to over dye and it turned out wonderful. The class was under 40 for 6 weeks. No additional cost for dying. It was a blast!

Thank you everyone for all info. I will let you know what happens.