I've learned from this forum that there are different types of dyes. Make sure you research which dye is going to be the most colour fast for your fabric. Hopefully, someone will chime in with that info.

You say you are going to dye it dark. Are you sure you need/want to go dark? We had a white slipcovered sofa and little kids and I found same as you that it wasn't really feasible. I'd have to wash it every couple of months and it really was a pain.

For our next sofa, I also got a linen slipcover, but this time I went with pale gold. Still light, but it made all the difference in the world in terms of keeping it clean (never washed or drycleaned it).

Our kids are now 11 and 16 and I'm back to white slipcover (but did learn my lesson and went with off-white rather than true white). I bought some designer fabric and I fold it over the bottom cushions. It looks intentional (and IMHO chic) and it keeps the area that gets the most wear clean(er).

ETA: If you dye dark, remember that even if the fabric is natural and takes the dye easily, often the thread is poly and doesn't take the dye at all.

I bought some designer fabric and I fold it over the bottom cushions. It looks intentional (and IMHO chic) and it keeps the area that gets the most wear clean(er).

Daisy, care to post of photo of this? :)

Here is the link for the Linden Street Sofa. They are still for sale...http://www.jcpenney.com/friday-twill-slipcovered-sofa-collection/prod.jump?ppId=1b5fac8&catId=cat1002460010&subcatId=cat100240019&deptId=dept20000011&&_dyncharset=UTF-8

I have four different slipcovers. I love them. I do see they only have the natural color slipcover for sale now. That is so disappointing.

The sofa is still for sale but you can no longer purchase slipcovers.

That is such a bummer for those that own the sofa. Those slipcovers are so nice. I hope mine hold up then for a long time.

I remember reading on this forum several yrs ago that IKEA sells nice slipcovers that fit arhaus slip covered sofas (I think). I would check there. As I remember, they were reasonably priced as well. I also would love to see a picture of the fabric on the sofa Daisy because I have a leather sofa with attached cushions that are scratched.

Ikea slipcovers do not fit the JC Penney sofas/sectional. The pillows are smaller on ikea. I tried already.

I'm not sure if Daisy does something similar to what I do for my sunroom slipcovered sofa. I do this somewhat to protect the seat from jeans, but primarily because one of my Aussies will make herself at home on it, if our attention is on the tv in the adjoining room. I think because the throw color is similar to the sofa color, it looks more intentional.

Not an option for me. The arm rests/ back pillows and back of the sofa have stains.

Surely someone one on here has dyed the covers, I think I read a thread about it once but now that GW is houzz I can't find a lot of old threads.

Have you got an extra piece you could try out before committing to the whole thing? Or could you dip dye the hem on the back or somewhere else that won't be seen just to try it out and see how it works? What colour are you thinking of?

I forgot to address your original question. I've never died anything, but my mother used to dye lots. It seems I remember her saying that the stains would take the dye differently than the rest of the fabric, but maybe if it was very dark, it wouldn't be noticeable.

Assuming you find he correct dye and the fabric hasn't been treated for stain resistance, your biggest issue will be getting consistent color saturation on a piece of fabric that large. The cushion covers can be dyed individually, but you have no way to break up the main body. Undoubtedly there will be areas that are crushed and absorb less color.

I would stick with trying to dye it a pale colour - maybe beige or grey.

The main body of the slipcover came in 2 pieces. Daisy chain, forgot to mention- this is actually the beige back up slipcover. I had a white one that was purchased when white became available that shrunk b/c it went in the dryer to dry and no longer fit. Beige does not hide these stains:

Well, after much research on the Internet, I pulled the trigger. One of the backs is currently in the wash with 4 bottles of Rit. This will either be the most genius idea I ever had or the biggest disaster ever. I may have a type dyed sectional for a long time. Lol.

I mixed it in a decorative vase b/c it's all I had big enough.

Here goes nothing:

I'll update everyone of the results.

Good luck! I've never really dyed a slipcover but I did use Rit color remover to take all the color out of an ivory linen chair slip that turned pink after it was accidentally washed with DD's hot pink sweatshirt.

The color remover quickly took all the color out but left it bright white, so I tea stained it to blend in with the other ivory chair slips. It worked really well and I can't even tell anymore which slip it is. I actually posted about it on Gardenweb a few years ago :)

I'm thinking of using the same treatment on my head and foot chair slipcovers, which have a few stains the drycleaning hasn't removed.

So far so good. Third load of covers is in the wash now. Not the color I envisioned but it's not tye dyed so that's a success! Lol

Wow! Those look great. Can't tell tho if it is a charcoal grey or navy blue. Don't forget to run a load of old towels or something through your machine when you're done to get the last of the dye out.

You know you'll have to buy new pillows to go with it now, right?

They look great so far!

Be sure you rub a white towel on a dry section to make sure there is no color transfer.

They look great!

I like it!

Finished product!

I think I do need new pillow covers. What was that children's book? If you give a mouse a cookie.....

I was striving for a deep navy with teal undertones. Not what I was envisioning, BUT it is not tye dyed. The color is pretty even, and I'm no longer disgusted when I walk in the room. And I will no longer be mortified to have guests over even though everyone congregates in the kitchen.

in the end it took all day. Started at 9am and just finished at 10pm. I am happy with the result. I can't believe I did it!

That is a really gorgeous sofa! I didn't realize it was a sectional - no wonder it took so long. The colour seems to go well with your room. Well done!

Here's how it used to look in an old pic from photobucket. Sorry it's a little blurry and I screen shotted. I can't remember my photobucket password. Also you'll notice even through the sofa is in the same place, we now have a wall and door. Huge construction project going on behind that, the walls were not insulated properly so everything is being redone. It'll prob be a year before it's finished since it's mostly DIY.

Great job Polly - you are one smart cookie!

Never dyed - but I have painted a sofa if thats any help? I have a tutorial here http://grillo-designs.com/paint-a-fabric-sofa/

I've painted chairs too

Wow i love that Polly!

Okay, now you have to start a new thread with instructions on the painted chairs. Those are amazing!

Haha I agree!

Hello, Polly, curious if you would be willing to share the method you used? I have some pottery barn covers that need to be redyed (since they no longer make new ones). The sofa is currently red; do you think it could still work, if I went with a darker color, like charcoal? Thank you!

In case anyone is interested in buying new slipcovers, there is a website called Replacement Slipcover Outlet. They have Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware slipcovers. Not cheap, but less expensive than what they cost in the stores.

Polly did you wash the slip covers first on to get off any dirt, etc? I have a set

of blue jean couches I have had for ever! They now look like faded blue jeans and I want to dye them with Rit Dye - Denim. Also, is your washer a front load or top load? Did you use the liquid or powder dye?

My daughter is giving us her old couch & loveseat. They are down with removable covers. My problem is the covers are red and have stains, she has five children, and they don’t match the rest of our living room. Can red be dyed another color like a brown or ?. I would really live to have them just not in red, help!

Has anyone ever used Replacement Slipcover Outlet, i.e. bought custom slipcovers? I live in Canada. My sofa and loveseat have deco like arms by which I mean they curve/slope out. Thanks, Mary Rose