Asked on Dec 17, 2015

How to bleach or colour this fabric

EveFo
by EveFo
I ordered 7 meters of fabric from a firm online and the colour that I received was different than what I expected.
My intention was to make curtains - but that went out of the window.
The fabric is made of linen for curtains or upholstery projects.
You can see the difference in the photos.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to either lighten it (bleach maybe) or colour it with dye?
  12 answers
  • Country Design Home Country Design Home on Dec 17, 2015
    Wow- can you not return it? That is not the same fabric in anyway. If it were me, I would demand my money back. I am assuming that you are talking about attempting to bleach out the brown to make it lighter. Unfortunately, you cannot do that without damaging the black print as well. Same goes for adding color- which would darken the entire piece, not just the brown- which would only make any color you choose quite muddied. Good luck- sorry for such a dilemma!
  • EveFo EveFo on Dec 17, 2015
    I created a dispute over the purchase - they are an online fabric store in China -and after a lot of mails back and forth they offered me 50% reimbursement. I am greatly disappointed as I wanted to make curtains - but not with that sacking material. Well, I have learned my lesson.
  • Rc Shoe Rc Shoe on Dec 17, 2015
    I would try coffee to stain and age it. (try out a sample in a cup, then if its good, fill a storage container with strong coffee and let it soak)
  • Donna Donna on Dec 17, 2015
    You could paint your fabric with a light whitewash with watered down acrylic paint, but that would also lighten the images on your fabric. Might be your best bet though. Sorry - this really stinks :(
  • Minky Minky on Dec 17, 2015
    If there's no way to get your money back, I'd try a soaking a small piece in a bleach/water solution to see if it will lighten w/o damaging the fabric. If it works, soak the entire length. Good luck! Dye would work, but would end up darker.
  • LD LD on Dec 17, 2015
    It's quite obvious that they sent you the wrong fabric color, as She said I would call them regarding the color being wrong and ask for either the correct fabric or a total refund, plus have them send the return shipping label so you aren't paying for their mistake. If they refuse to fix the issue, then file a claim with your credit card company contesting the charge and also file a claim with the Better Business Bureau.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Dec 17, 2015
    I definately would demand a full refund on the fabric.I realize that several e-mails were sent but the next one should that you will contact BBB and report them. In the mean time bleach will ruin this fabric as well and the black print.
  • Julia Garrison Duvall Julia Garrison Duvall on Dec 17, 2015
    Anything you do to change the background color is also going to change the black. I think your stuck with it unless you can get them to exchange it.
    • EveFo EveFo on Dec 17, 2015
      Thanks - i will have to see what the final outcome is. They offered 10$, then 20$ and now 40$ compensation 40% of the original price
  • Reggie Reggie on Dec 17, 2015
    Bleach may cause it to have a yellowish tint.
  • Suzanne Suzanne on Dec 17, 2015
    It is very obviously not what you ordered. Contact the company and explain the situation. Request a solution to the problem--either a return of this fabric and shipment of the correct fabric or a total refund. If they are unwilling to help you create an appropriate solution, perhaps you could make pillows or other room decor.
  • EveFo EveFo on Dec 18, 2015
    Lots of suggestions to do something else with the fabric as bleaching or colouring it would not be successful. just have to think what else to do besides upholstering a chair. thanks everyone