Dyeing Cord Curtains..............

nottslass_2

Hi I've inherited some lovely ring top Corduroy curtains,the only problem is that they are a bit of a "gold beige" and won't quite go with my decor.

I was thinking perhaps a darker brown or deep red would look good.

Would it be possible to machine dye them and would I have to strip the previous colour out ?

Can I expect a reasonable result ?

The label says Dry clean only,but they are 100% cotton,does anyone know if I'll get an even result ?


TIA

laurel7172

If they're 100% cotton, you should get an even result as long as the machine is big enough for the curtains to move around properly.

The danger is that they'll shrink when washed...

Colour mixing rules apply, so red+ yellow/gold=orange. It might be safer to go for brown.

However, unfortunately, you might get a nasty shock when you weigh the curtains and calculate the cost of the dye...

nottslass_2

laurel7172 wrote: »

If they're 100% cotton, you should get an even result as long as the machine is big enough for the curtains to move around properly.

The danger is that they'll shrink when washed...

Colour mixing rules apply, so red+ yellow/gold=orange. It might be safer to go for brown.

However, unfortunately, you might get a nasty shock when you weigh the curtains and calculate the cost of the dye...

Thanks for replying - I hadn't thought of colour mixing rules !!!

I'll do each curtain individually and keep my fingers crossed that they don't shrink -Do you know if I can use a low temperature ?I realise that they probably wont be colour fast,but will the dye still "take"?

I know that the cost of the dye isn't going to be cheap,but the curtains are really good quality and it would be such a shame to waste them (omg I sound like my mother.lol)

ukmaggie45

nottslass wrote: »

I'll do each curtain individually and keep my fingers crossed that they don't shrink -Do you know if I can use a low temperature ?I realise that they probably wont be colour fast,but will the dye still "take"?

If you do each curtain individually you may find they come out individually coloured! :eek: I'm not an expert, but suspect that even if the amount of mordant (the stuff you put in to keep the dye in the cloth so it doesn't wash out, salt for cotton often, vinegar for wool if I remember right which I may not!) varies you may get different shade of your chosen colour.

You can buy low temperature dyes from Dylon.

Have you thought of getting them dyed professionally by a dry cleaner or similar? While it may be more expensive initially you will at least get them all dyed the same colour. If they are really good curtains it might be a better way to go about it?

Sometimes spending a bit more is Money Saving in the long run!

nottslass_2

ukmaggie45 wrote: »

If you do each curtain individually you may find they come out individually coloured! :eek: I'm not an expert, but suspect that even if the amount of mordant (the stuff you put in to keep the dye in the cloth so it doesn't wash out, salt for cotton often, vinegar for wool if I remember right which I may not!) varies you may get different shade of your chosen colour.

You can buy low temperature dyes from Dylon.

Have you thought of getting them dyed professionally by a dry cleaner or similar? While it may be more expensive initially you will at least get them all dyed the same colour. If they are really good curtains it might be a better way to go about it?

Sometimes spending a bit more is Money Saving in the long run!

Hadn't thought of that one.If anyone can point me in the right direction it would be appreciated:)