and seeds. Threw my fabric in, let it sit for a while, added a bit of salt to pull the color
out of the seeds and skin. I let the fabric sit ALL DAY. When I came home it was a lovely pinkish color.
I added a bit of white vinegar. Rinsed the fabric with cold water. Still a bit pink. Washed with soap (probably a bad idea) Still a nice bit of pink. Let dry overnight....
: /
(the result!)
This is not a great photo of the fabric because it is dark this early morning....
Don't let the picture fool you. It looks pinkish but the fabric really looks a shade
more beige yellow. When I first hung it to dry it was a slight pinkish color with a few
deepened spots. But they disappeared! Obviously, I have a lot to learn. I think linen would
have worked better then Kona cotton.....
Now I am determined to learn about this process. I have read India Flint has a fabulous book.
Will have to look into that.
I found this blog that is no longer posting but thought it was interesting and worth sharing:
I remember the same thing happening to us at Girl Scouts. We used goldenrod and black berries one year. Two different batches. But the colors were all washed out. Definitely not worth the time invested...or at least this is what I thought as a teenager.
ReplyDeleteThere must be a trick to this...I am just missing it?
ReplyDeletecotton doesn't take too well to natural dyeing without a little preparation. i've been soaking mine in watered down soy milk for a day or so. i just squeeze it out and go right into dyeing it. i have some info on eco dyeing on my blog if you want to check it out. and e-mail me if you have any questions.
ReplyDeleteHi deanna,
ReplyDeleteThank you. I will definitely send any questions your way. I would like to try this again but be better prepared.
I am going to go check out your blog right now! : )
<3
please read India's first book and you will find all this dyeing so much easier. Once you start be warned..it is all consuming!Ha. My blog http://chocolatelifendjazz.blogspot.com has loads of my dyeing experiments and images on it..if you are interestedx lynda
ReplyDeleteHi Lynda,
ReplyDeleteI think I do need to read up on dying before I venture into that world. I hear here it is addictive!
: )
Thank you.
<3
Very curious indeed Marie! I have played with tea bags before but have never been this adventurous. It is so much fun to play, don't you think? ...gets us thru the 'M'... just beware when you have the desire to play with finger paints. :)
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Marie for a lovely weekend..
Jeanne xx
Yup Indias first book is the Bible lol
ReplyDeleteHi Jeanne,
ReplyDeleteHa! I have been wanting to paint for a while : )
I have dyed cloth with turmeric, which is sooo easy. I have also used coffee and tea.
I think for now I will admire other creative souls hand dyed cloths.
Thank you so much <3
You have a lovely weekend too!
Hi Liniecat,
ReplyDeleteThat is what I hear....Now I have to see if I can get a copy of India's book : )
I agree, India Flint's book is a must have. I also really like Jenny Dean's Wild Color. Like Deanna, I've had better luck achieving pink on fabrics other than cotton. I have ended up with a really soft golden yellow on cotton that I liked though.
ReplyDeleteYep, the golden yellow describes it perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI have received hand dyed bits of fabric from Gerdiary and absolutely
love the feel and look of the dyed fabrics. For some reason
they work sooo well with hand stitching.
What do you think?
Yes, I agree. I know that dyeing fabrics with plant material is going to be something I will continue. I love that there is an element of unpredictability.
DeleteMarie, I agree with everyone else here. India's book is number one but there are three or four other ones, too, that are pretty good. India's is the most exciting and inspiring, I think, the others are more like following recipes. I have consistently better outcomes with silk, just FYI. It's all so fun -- have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteHi Peggy,
ReplyDeleteI can follow a recipe. lol!
I figured that linen or silk would do much better. Good to know.
I think for now I will stick to just trying to stitch a few things..I have a tendency to get scattered,
then overwhelmed by it all. My word of the year is "focus". Ha! Ha!
<3 Have a great weekend too! : )
Thank you.
oh,i know this story, have lived it many times.
ReplyDeleteHi Handstories,
ReplyDeleteI think for now I am going to stick with stitching! lol!
:)