And clothes dying experts about?

[Noteveryone]

I have just bought a beautiful cardigan which is perfect except for the colour. It’s 60% alpaca and wool, the rest is polyester. Would this take dye do you think?

The wool and as far as I'm aware (never tried it) alpaca should take the dye, but not the polyester. If you're lucky, it just means you end up with a colour that's not as intense as it looks on the packet. But if, for example, the polyester is part of a trim then that bit might not take any dye at all.

Thanks Floisme. It’s a kind of brick terracotta colour but on the website it looked more dark red which was what I wanted. It wasn’t cheap so I think I’d better not take the risk that it doesn’t work out, the current colour looks dreadful on me so I’d be really disappointed if it didn’t take as I wouldn’t wear it

Yeah I dye stuff quite a lot but normally only when I've not much to lose if it goes wrong e.g. if I'm bored with it or if I bought it second hand. The colour of the garment also interacts with the dye and affects what you come out with. It's kind of fun but always a bit of a gamble.

I think there's probably too much polyester so it would probably take some colour but the ultimate colour could be very odd.

Like @Floisme I dye things quite often but usually things that are old and need a refresh so there's nothing to lose. eg a shirt with a stain I might try dying a very dark colour or a skirt/jeans that have faded I'll redye to see if brings them back to life.

Often the polyester is the threads so that's also something to take into account. I had a white cotton shirt but turned out the stitching was polyester. It actually looks quite nice with the white trim, but didn't come out as i was expecting!

Yes I think I’ll return it. Thanks. Such a shame, I wish the colours were actually accurate online then I wouldn’t buy the wrong thing!

@Noteveryone

Yes I think I’ll return it. Thanks. Such a shame, I wish the colours were actually accurate online then I wouldn’t buy the wrong thing!

Yes, I've had that a couple of times. Seems to be especially true with jumpers for some reason.

I’m hardly an expert but it sounds as if your return it option is the one to go for. I echo others’ comments. At the best you would end up with something in 2 different shades and probably even lighter stitching.

Also, may not be applicable in this case, but if any thread (thought it sounds like this will be stitched up with the yarn it was made of) is polyester, that bit won't take. So if contrasting stitching is not a problem, it's fine, otherwise not. Maybe for future endeavours.