Haven't used s***m for ages - sold off a 50 yard bale that had been lying in a cupboard for yonks about a year ago. Have you tried microfibre? No breaking it in, no having to use it as a sill cloth when it starts to moult. Eeech, evil stuff that s***m so it is!
When I used to hem the yards, I would do that wide stitch with the sewing machine across one corner so I would recognise them - just in case, you know!
How long does the dyed colour stay in before fading away?