Methods for the deep shade dyeing of melamine fiber-containing textile articles include bringing an undyed melamine fiber-containing textile article into contact with a dye bath containing a dyestuff and an acid donor at a pH of less than about 4.0 and an elevated dyeing temperature greater than about 100°C for a time sufficient to dye the textile article with minimal loss of melamine fibers due to acid hydrolysis. Most preferably, the textile article or articles to be dyed is placed into the dye bath at ambient temperature, and thereafter the dye bath containing the textile article or articles to be dyed is heated to the elevated dyeing temperature, for example, at a rate of between about 0.5 to about 2.0°C per minute. Suitable dyes include non-complexed acid dyes or acid dyes complexed with a metal (e.g., iron, cobalt, copper, aluminum or any transition metal). Suitable acid donors include butyrolactones, ethylene glycol monoformates and ethylene glycol diformates. The textile article may be formed entirely of melamine fibers or may be in the form of a blend of melamine fiber with at least one other type of fiber (e.g., aramid fibers).

Melamine fibers, used alone or with other types of fibers, are dyed using one or more dyestuffs from the group of direct dyes; non-metallized acid dyes; metallized acid dyes; disperse dyes without carriers; and blends thereof. Fabric made from such dyed fiber may exhibit a chambray appearance based on the fabric construction.