I unwrapped the bundle to add the fourth flower.
and let it percolate for several days
The bundle had a rich red-brown colour
unwrapped and with the stinky, slimey flowers
ewwww
lovely rich red, but there was slime residue, and I had to rinse off the slime
Oh, look! The colour rinsed out of the materials. What a shame!
less rinsed out of the brushed cotton
I liked how it gathered on the fabric edges
It was suggested to wash the fabric in salt water, so I ripped a piece off each type of cotton for testing
The colour ran this much with just a dunking. Oh, no!
The results on the brushed cotton
If I do this another time:
perhaps wrapping the flowers in paper towel and/or netting would solve the problem of fabric slime
I might heat set in the dryer before rinsing or removing the flower slime
I might mix different plants
It was interesting how the colour varied from a bright pink to a red-brown.
I shall heat set the fabric a second time by placing in the dryer, and then wash to see if the remaining colour is permanent
Hope your experiments have a better outcome.
Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz
less rinsed out of the brushed cotton
I liked how it gathered on the fabric edges
It was suggested to wash the fabric in salt water, so I ripped a piece off each type of cotton for testing
The colour ran this much with just a dunking. Oh, no!
The results on the brushed cotton
The results on the white cotton
If I do this another time:
perhaps wrapping the flowers in paper towel and/or netting would solve the problem of fabric slime
I might heat set in the dryer before rinsing or removing the flower slime
I might mix different plants
It was interesting how the colour varied from a bright pink to a red-brown.
I shall heat set the fabric a second time by placing in the dryer, and then wash to see if the remaining colour is permanent
Hope your experiments have a better outcome.
Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz
You need something to act as a mordant to set the color. I've never done dyeing using plants and/or flowers, but I'm sure there's info out here on the web
ReplyDeleteI have only one word. Blueberries.
ReplyDeleteFox : ))
I've heard of using alum in water as a mordant, not sure how that would work but think you make your solution first and soak the fabric then add what you are using to color. Some thing to look in to I guess.
ReplyDeleteWith the rust pieces, I get good results with soaking the fabric with salt water first, wrap the rust bits, tuck in to container and splash/slosh with white vinegar to accelerate rusting. Leave sit for a day or however long, rinse out and toss in washer then dryer. There is some run out on the rinse but it sticks for the biggest part. Might give you some ideas to try :)
Forget to say leave in closed container so the fabric stays damp... all of mine that have dried out failed or were so faded I didn't use.
ReplyDeleteDear Suz- what a great experiment-even some colors washed out- the fabric`s looks gorgeus-and so fun trying something new-
ReplyDeleteHugs,Dorthe
Thank you everyone for your comments!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there's lots of info out there on using a mordant, and if I try this again, I'll have to do some research first. It was fun experimenting, and playing with an idea, and I am pleased that there is some lovely colour and shading on some of the fabric. I heat set it in the dryer, but I think I'll use the bits in an item for displaying only: I don't want to chance losing any more of the colour.
Hope you're having a wonderful weekend! Hugs
Isn't it amazing - when you don't want something to stain it usually does. I have no clues as I've done no dyeing, but this looks life a fun experiment. I have seen some people putting the flower between the fabrics and squashing with a hammer. Don't know how permanent that would be either. Have fun, Di.
ReplyDeleteHow cool is that!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Diane
Hi Dianne,
ReplyDeleteYou're right about the staining, and I have the sweatshirts and t-shirts to prove it! lol
I've heard of hammering flowers and plants into fabric, too. What I've read is that it's done with dry cloth and the colours from the plants are mashed into the fabric. It sounds like a good way to get rid of some frustrations, doesn't it? Where's that hammer......?
Hugs
Thanks, Diane!
Looks like you are doing science experiments. I choose not to do slimey yucky projects. Love your fabrics no matter what your colors came out like. Happy Mother's Day to you and may you have a lovely day...
ReplyDeleteyou are creating some wonderful colours here...
ReplyDeleteI love the variety of colors, I'll have to read my Eco Dying & see if I can find a natural mordant. Think of the slime as compost!
ReplyDeleteLove the millepede below!
Thank you, Emma, I'd love to know more about natural mordants! I was surprised by the variety of colours, too. The yucky slimey flowers went into the compost container. Hmmm, I've read about a compost bundle, but I'm not sure about doing that. It might have real millipedes in it!
ReplyDeleteHugs
very neat idea with the amaryllis flower. I have some beautiful purply stock flowers as a gift for mother's day that I'm going to try to colour some fabric with.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jennypennypoppy! I hope you get wonderful results from your flowers! If I may suggest: don't wet the fabric too much, and heat seal it before rinsing. I'll be watching to see what happens. Hugs
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips - very appreciated! :D
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome, Jeannette. Glad if I could help. Hugs
ReplyDeleteSusan,
ReplyDeletesad to see the colour fading..wonderful experience though.i like the beautiful colours on the fabric...
I was so disappointed when that happened Lakshmi! But, it was an experiment, and I did learn a few things, so it wasn't a waste. And there is some lovely subtle colors still on the fabrics. Hugs
ReplyDelete