I confess!

Last December, I was walking through the Marks & Spencer aisle, and I spotted this white night dress— an uncanny similarity to Diana Ross's nightgown. So, of course, I bought it.

I mean, look at how lucky Diana Ross was in this video.

Half a dozen hunks!

Why wouldn't I test my luck too, heh?

Well, I have worn that white dress many nights, doing all the moves and wishing, but I got nothing but wet dreams.

So, I dyed the blinking white dress green.

I wasn't sure where I would find the clothes dye because I hadn't done anything like this since I was a little girl. However, my mum took me to a fabric store in the town that had a few colours in their selection.

I was happy to see the non-toxic and safe for sewage and septic systems on the label, and it looked like a reputable brand.

Dark green was my colour of choice because when I am back home on my narrowboat, I won't have to worry that the white dress will be soiled as soon as I touch some coal for my wood burner.

Of course, it's advisable to wear a pair of latex gloves whenever using dye or any other chemical.

The steps were simple and easy to follow.

1. I boiled three (3) litres of water and used one (1) pack of dye. The package said one dye is sufficient for two (2) adult t-shirts, the equivalent of this dress.

2. In a large stainless steel pot, I added the water and poured the contents from the pack of dye to dissolve in the water, and I added one (1) teaspoon of liquid detergent and one (1) cup of salt.

No turning back

Step 3. I placed the dress, unfolded it into the pot with the solution, and fully immersed the dress.

Slowly and evenly

Step 4: Using a long fork, I stirred the dress around in the dye to ensure that the solution was evenly spread.

Step 5: I left the dye to absorb for 30 minutes ensuring that the solution stayed at the hot temperature by covering the pot.

Step 6: To allow the dye to take full effect, I left the dress soaking for an additional 30 minutes.

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Rinsing and Final Steps

1. Remove the dress from the solution, still wearing gloves, and rinse thoroughly with cold water, until the water runs clear.

2. Add a mild detergent and wash the dress to remove excess dye and make the water run clear.

3. Dry and wear.

Here is the finished dress.

Wet and hung to dry 👆

Dry and ready to wear 👆

White stitches

If you look closely, you'll see that the thread did not take colour, but the contrasting white thread looks like a deliberate style that one would not know unless you told them.

The Finished Look

As much as I liked the pureness of the 100% white cotton, this is a more practical and maintainable look for my daily lifestyle.

I have no regrets about this irreversible change; however, if I were ever in a position to bid for Diana Ross's nightgown, then I definitely would. Still, I'd take some muscles if the original white dress were unattainable.

Thanks for dropping by, as always:)

_{All images were taken in my backyard, Jamaica, on February 24, 2024, with a video link from YouTube.}