New Sectional Cover Change Up And A Lesson Learned

 

I have had Lisa Harmon from Fabric 8 Slipcovers make slipcovers and each time she wow's me more than that last slipcover custom made for me.
Well I told all of you in my last post that I have a reaction to the "performance fabric" used on my comfy sectional that I just love.  You can see that above.
We love that sectional.  It fits perfectly in the room and it is soooo comfy.
Now I had a dilemma do I sell this and get the same sectional in a different fabric without the chemical performance added.  

I looked at Macy's where we purchased this and all the fabrics have the same performance fabrics.  
Only leather was a choice without performance fabric.
I did not want leather.
 I contacted Lisa and she said she could make me a slipcover for this sectional.  I was thinking this way I could get upholstery fabric without the chemical treatment in the fabric.  I could get a fabric that is washable.
Above you can see my choice of fabric.

 I ordered the fabric above and this is what I received.  

I had the fabric sent directly from the fabric company to Lisa to save on shipping.

This is the  fabric they sent to Lisa.  Nothing like the picture shown above.
  The color name was linen so I figured that color did fit the picture shown light cream and beige Right?!!!
Lisa did not know what I ordered she assumed what was sent was what I wanted.  I assumed they had sent the light color above not this darker taupe color.

When the slipcovered arrived it was beautiful as you can see in the picture.  Lisa does magic with her talents making slipcovers.

However,  I was shocked at the fabric color.  I went back to the company's website to see if maybe they sent me the wrong color fabric.  Nope this was the only beige fabric choice called Linen and this is not what the picture looked like on line when I ordered it.  

 I took this picture right off their website to show you what I saw and thought I was getting.

Big Lesson learned here.  Always get a sample never go by a picture on the computer.  The real color is drastically different than what I thought I ordered.

Since the slipcover was finished and delivered I was going to have to embrace the darker taupe color.   It did go in my room so that was a plus but with the lighting changing in my room throughout the day this taupe looked green in reality.

  The fabric was beautiful upholstery fabric and washable and no "itch" to sit on my sectional.  
Checked all my boxes of what I wanted except for the color.
I thought,  ok Kris embrace this.  I really did try to embrace it.
It was just too dark!
To try and find another fabric in the amount I would need and to ask Lisa to make another cover was going to be too expensive.  It would just be better to buy another sectional which I did not want to do with how much we love this one.

I did a little searching on line to see if there was some way to lighten the fabric without ruining it.  
No bleach could be used.  

I found an article on Rit color remover.  It lightens and removes color from fabrics without losing the print of the fabric.  

I saw a lady use this on a black dress and after ten minutes it was pure white with the pattern still there.
I took a leap of faith and followed the directions carefully.

To use Rit Color Remover in a washing machine, set your washer to the hottest water setting with a cycle length of at least 30 minutes, dissolve the required packets in hot water, and add it to the machine. [1]

 

Step-by-Step Instructions

• Prepare the fabric: Wet your garment thoroughly with water before putting it into the washing machine.[1]

• Determine packet amount: Choose how many packets of Rit Color Remover you need based on your load size:
  • Small load: 2 packets
  • Large load: 3 packets
  • Extra-large load: 4 packets [1]

• Dissolve the powder: Mix your packets of Color Remover with about 950 mL (1 quart) of very hot water until fully dissolved. [1]

• Configure the washer: Set your washing machine to the hottest water setting available and choose a wash cycle of at least 30 minutes. Ensure there is enough water for the fabric to move and circulate freely. [1, 2]

• Add the solution: Pour the dissolved color remover solution directly into the washing machine drum or through the liquid dispenser tray (flush the tray with an extra 950 mL of hot water if using a dispenser).[1, 2]

• Run and wash again: Start the cycle with the pre-wet fabric inside. Once the cycle finishes, re-wash the item in warm water with a mild detergent, then dry it. [1, 2]

The stove method was the easiest but with a slipcover no pot of water on the stove would fit the pieces. I was going to have to do it in the washing machine.
I was religious about how much and how long each of the pieces stayed in the soak.  I wanted everything to be equal in color.  I did not want one piece lighter or darker than another.

It worked great.  I could not believe it.  I got my lighter color .  I could not have been happier.  
I kept the fabric in the soak for 10 minutes.  Then drained and washed in a regular cycle and dried these in my dryer.  
They came out beautifully.  The fabric even got softer.

Now I have what I originally thought I was going to have.  It took some time and patience but I am loving the end result.
This is a comfy relaxed sectional and with my cottage check I feel like it fits great in my decor.

Lisa's beautiful workmanship.  She matched up all the checks and I love these corner box pleats she did for me.
Lisa sends you a template for what she needs in measurements and then does her magic.  You can purchase your own fabric print or she does have some fabrics you can choose from her.

It is bright and pretty and oh so comfortable to lounge on.
I left the Rit information on how to use your washer.  
You'll have the information if you ever think you may want to color remove or lighten a fabric like I did with this sectional cover.

This picture is more realistic of the true color I achieved. 

If you ever need any kind of slipcover made I would highly recommend Lisa.  She is so talented.  Her mom also sews slipcovers but recently retired.  Below is a picture of one of the lovely outdoor lounge covers her mom has made me.

Before color remover.

 After Color Remover.  
I always know computers can have different presentations of color  and I should have ordered a sample but I really did not think from the picture they had the fabric was going to be so dark and taupe in reality.  Lesson learned no matter what always get a sample!

Have a great week
Hugs,
Kris