Then, I wasn't sure what to do next, so I ironed them. This is onion skin and crocosmia:
And this is onion skin and marigold flowers...kind of greenish.
1 month ago
Friday, January 20, 2012
RAIN! and results
Ah, finally some rain! Hopefully several days worth...here are some raindrops on the apple tree:
Well, I didn't wait very long to unfurl my bundles! here they are right after unrolling...might make a nice skirt...
Then, I wasn't sure what to do next, so I ironed them. This is onion skin and crocosmia:
And this is onion skin and marigold flowers...kind of greenish.
I've got to do some more reading about rinsing them in a way to keep the color as much as possible. All suggestions would be very welcome. This has me so intrigued. I've signed up for Glennis' online indigo dyeing workshop! Phew! That's all for now.
Then, I wasn't sure what to do next, so I ironed them. This is onion skin and crocosmia:
And this is onion skin and marigold flowers...kind of greenish.
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you got good markings. i usually wait until it's bone dry before opening and i handwash in hot water until all the color stops running. i sometimes throw the fabric in the dryer before washing to heat set but i don't see that it makes that much of a difference. you'll lose some color depending on the cloth and the type of leaves,etc. you used. having some iron or copper in the water will give it more color. if you don't have an iron or copper pot, you can use a tin can or a copper pipe. just keep experimenting.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Deanna...this gives me courage to try the rinsing.
ReplyDeleteSuzanna..thanks for dropping by mythcolour..what I do is wait a long time before rinsing, months even..it "cures" the colours, and I think less is lost. iron does set the colours, but it also changes them, makes them darker, and with onionskins you;ll get browns and greens. Also I choose warm water, not hot, as hot water makes even commercial dyes run sometimes.
ReplyDeleteif you do use iron keep in mind that it may damage sensitive fabric and needs good rinsing and even stabilising with an alkali.
heat or steam setting, I have found is usually a good idea, esp. if the process has been a quick one.
I enjoyed looking at the images in your blog!
xx
manya
Manya, this is very helpful...I'll set them aside and wait so they can cure. It's as though these cloths with their new colorings have become more alive, sensitive beings. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteA little rain - so a dragon has visited at last!
ReplyDeleteDon't hurry into making up your lovely silks - you could wrap up in them for a bit, wear them as they are until you decide.
Hi Elizabeth...yes, I'm going to wait a while now...just to gaze at them...unfortunately, they're pretty small...I was being cautious. Once I understand how it all works, perhaps I'll make something larger that could become wearable...
Deletei don't lose much color on silk and linen if i leave it for a day of so. so glad you are in the indigo class.
ReplyDeleteHi Jude...it's so good to be reminded to wait...I didn't have much patience with the unwrapping part! Yes, this indigo class will be wonderful, and I'm hoping to take the boro class too!
DeleteI have popped by to say, "Hi" and HOOORAAAY, I see the little Reply linkie...it worked, that's great.
ReplyDeleteLovely colors there from those onion skins!
Hi Sweetpea...thanks for visiting. YES! the reply linkie is a vast improvement...it just appeared actually...I noticed it after reading your blog, and it seems to have appeared all by itself!
Deleteresults are good, i usually iron to heat set then wait a few days till i wash in warm water and a little soft wash. the washing is essential to remove any plant or dirt debris otherwise it could end up stinky.
ReplyDeleteyou could also overdye without washing first if you wanted to try other ideas such as old copper pipes/coins, darker leaves or flower presses.
Kaite, thanks! I'll try the overdye next.
DeleteSuzanna, you have some really great results! Interesting to read the comments here -- I always iron to heat-set, let dry and then rinse, but am usually too hesitant to use the washing machine, don't want the color going down the drain. Sometimes I don't wash at all, depending on what it was dyed with!
ReplyDeleteHi Peggy...thank you! I think today I'm going to try a bit of rinsing, and keep my fingers crossed that the color will stay, or at least part of it...
Deleteyou've got beautiful results with your bundles!They look like a painting, a natural painting.
ReplyDeleteI'm also in the indigo class, nice to know you'll be there too.
XXX
Hi Sandra...yes, it is like the cloth painted itself...absorbing the bits of mother nature...and I didn't have to travel far to find those bits...I'm glad you'll be in the indigo class...won't that be interesting and fun!
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