Yep, I sympathise about the number of books, @neumannsalva : bits of paper / old magazines / let alone yarn and bits of fabric all too good to throw away or may be needed later type of feeling.
I was wondering whether a sort of plum / dark rust colour dye could work and be a change from black or navy (both are good colours though as they'd go with nearly anything).
RE: How to upgrade a muslin into a lovely dress