This was once a white shirt. I felt like some fun today, so gathered up some tired looking
bee balm flowers (red) and one or two pieces of greenery.
The shirt was pre soaked in vinegar and salt then spread with my plant material, rolled up
tightly and secured.
The bee balm was happy to provide some colour for this tired old shirt.
Surprisingly that colour was pink!
bee balm flowers (red) and one or two pieces of greenery.
The shirt was pre soaked in vinegar and salt then spread with my plant material, rolled up
tightly and secured.
The bee balm was happy to provide some colour for this tired old shirt.
Surprisingly that colour was pink!
Those rusty colours and charcoal grey came from two bulldog clips helping to hold the fabric
in a bundle for the dyeing process. I like the unplanned contrasts.
The grey/charcoal colouring came from two large paperclips. They also produced
the rust colouring as well.
The contrast is rather good, I think.
I steamed the shirt, tightly rolled in my dye pot for two hours.
It really was fun way to spend a few hours.
If you want to do something different and feel like playing, I recommend giving this a go.
Heaps of fun and the results are surprising. Some colours may not be colourfast but thats all
part of the process. The colours are interesting and if they don't work first time round you can always have another go using different plant materials and techniques.
I wonder how many of my readers
enjoy dyeing with plants?
Would love to hear from you.
Cheers,
Joan.
This is the second blog I've come across this week on dying with plants. I will have to give it ago. I love the patterns made by the bulldog and paper clips. I have just come across your blog today and become a follower so I will be look forward to seeing some more of your ideas.
ReplyDeleteHa! I would love to get into the world of dying fabrics but I'm too scared to start in case I get addicted and then that's one more thing I won't have time to do!! hahaha
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting effect. Will have to try this sometime. x
ReplyDeleteThis is so pretty. When you say steaming for 2 hours, do you actually put the rolled up shirt in the pot, and cover it with water on low for 2 hours? I am curious about the presoaking process too, how much vinegar and salt and how long to soak. I am not familiar with this technique, but would love to try it.
ReplyDeleteThankyou for your comments. You can find plenty of info online. I have other postings on natural dyeing as well. A lot of it is trial and error. Just have a go. You will probably enjoy the process and be in for a few surprises!
ReplyDelete