Thanks Patricia! I hadn't even thought of that.

I don’t think dark brown or any dark color would dye well anyway. You’d probably end up with a dark olive. Maybe. You need to start off with a light color.

Thanks Shadylady2u! I read you can remove the color before dying. Do you think that's worth a try?

I'm not really sure, but I think the color remover may only work on something that was also dyed. You could try but only if you're planning on throwing your curtains out if nothing works.

I remember using the color remover once for something that ran and it pretty much destroyed the fabric. Kind of disintegrated after soaking it awhile. Not saying it'll happen to your curtains, but a possibility.

I would try it. The Rit site recommends that if you are dying a coloured item to black or graphite, to add another colour. For brown going to black, they recommend adding some navy blue.

What do you have to lose if the alternative is buying new drapes anyway? https://www.ritdye.com/instructions/how-to-get-as-dark-a-color-as-possible/

If they shrink a bit, is there a deep hem that can be let down? Or does it really matter if the drapes are a bit shorter? Maybe you can move the rod down a bit or hang them below the rod on rings instead of on the rod.

Reduce, reuse, recycle.

I wouldn't recommend Rit at all. Been there, done that, didn't work out so well.

I quickly moved on to Procion dyes. Jacquard is a popular name brand; I also like using the generic brand at Dharma Trading. Procion dyes do not require hot water, but they do require total submersion in a large bucket or bathtub, accompanied by frequent stirring. It's highly recommended to thoroughly wet the fabric prior to putting it into the dye bath. Using Soda Ash with Procion dyes helps to fix/set the colors, for permanency and colorfastness (to avoid bleeding during regular washing).

Linen is a plant-based fiber, so you can use any dye formulated for cotton, rayon, hemp, bamboo, etc., I just like Procion. :-)

I haven't tried non-bleach color removers (please don't use bleach :-) ) on already-colored items, but I'd be willing to give it a try on a released/unstitched hem to test it out.

I've never really died anything regularly except my hair, and I don't do that anymore. I used to use denim blue and black Rit to refresh my jeans. Worked well, but I don't think I'd risk working with an item as large as drapery.

Unless the drapes are made from linen that has been per-shrunk, you will lose 10% of the fabric size. Also, you cannot really go from dark brown to dark gray without removing the brown color.

I assume the drapes are lined. If this is the case, then dyeing them could also distort the lining and make the drapes look warped. If you have never washed the drapes, you should not consider dyeing them.

Use a cold water Dye

https://www.dickblick.com/products/jacquard-procion-mx-fiber-reactive-cold-water-dye/

Brown and Gray are both created by mixing the three primary colors.

Brown has more Red and Yellow, gray has even amounts of Red, Yellow and Blue

I would test using a 50 50 mix of Neutral Gray and Navy

www.anniesloan.com

The curtains are made from old French linens which were dip-dyed in Chalk Paint®. Find out more on our website.

https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/french-rustic-bedroom-by-annie-sloan-farmhouse-bedroom-oxfordshire-phvw-vp~112507453

French rustic bedroom by Annie Sloan · More Info

She paints fabrics with chalk paint -https://www.anniesloan.com/techniques/how-to-paint-fabric-with-chalk-paint

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm adding 2 photos. Yes, the drapes are lined. I hadn't thought of chalk paint! What an interesting idea. The drapes are really nice, heavy and tall. We are

switching to gray/cooler tone colors, so if I can't dye or paint the drapes, I will have to toss them.

Good 'luck' !

You might have little to lose...donating is an option. Idk how light they could become, but even a rich greyed color like eggplant might work for ya, idk if you have an accent color, or need a new one... deep teal? add mercury lamps... :)

I have a habit of skimming.... I looked to read you want them as dark, but instead charcoal. Let us know how it goes ?

I dyed linen using Shibori technique, the linen was natural-colored. I bought the dye kit from Dharma Trading, their website is a wealth of information and they are happy to answer questions, you may want to start researching there.

I'm going to do a little more research on the different options. I might just donate them so I don't make a big mess (lol). I'll let you know if I try it. Thanks for all the help!!