During the organizing of the Notjustnat Exhibition I hardly picked up any stitching. I did do some blog reading, specially the one on Eco Dyeing. I thought I would get back to try some more eco dyeing and this time with these dainty yellow flowers. These were the earlier spring flowers I gathered in the garden at my work. I think they are a type of weed. I'm not sure what they are. I looked up on Google image and they might be clover flowers. If you know exactly what they are please let me know.
I boiled up the flowers and didn't have time to use it for ages. Then I had to leave for Sydney and didn't want to waste the beautiful golden yellow liquid so I decided to put the liquid in a jar and refrigerated it while I was away in Sydney.
After returned from Sydney, I read on Kaite's blog about her coreopsis flowers yellow dyeing and remembered the jar of yellow liquid I had in the refrigerator! I used linen, cotton, silk and a piece of lacy fabric that I thought would not dye. I had nothing to lose in trying. I added a ball of pearl thread with small amount of alum. I tied some of the fabric and boiled it for about 30 minutes. I've left the saucepan out on the deck for a few days before I rinse it out.
These are how they turned out. The color is much deeper yellow than the photo, but somehow it didn't turned out well in the photo. I'm really really happy with this batch, I think the alum helps to set the dye onto the fabric and the colour didn't rinse off afterward.
Have you tried eco dyeing yet? I'm looking forward to our Christmas vacation on the South Coast near Seabird (our block of land). I'm planning to take my dye pot with me and do some experiment with what I might find there. It should be an interesting find...!
17 comments:
Very successful dyeing...I love that yellow!
I have seen those flowers around, but not sure what they are called. I remember them from when I was a little girl walking home from school.
Alum... is that the same as soda ash (excuse my ignorance!!!! Certainly bought out the yellow.
Even when you are flat out you are still dyeing!!!
Jacky xox
I am totally impressed by this! It looks so pretty.
I think the flowers are called Sundrops. I love what you have done. I think I may give this a try next year when I have some flowers in bloom.
Willow
Love the colors. I am not a big fan of yellow, though these are delicious. What fun, using natures gifts for your dyeing hobby. Hugs to you.
Cheers,
Bobbie
What a lovely shade Nat...yellow is one of my favourites!!! Now I know what you are planning to do at Seabird ha ha...Dzintra♥x
wow, a real success with those unknown flowers. i love the lacy piece. can't wait to see how you use it in stitch.
Those fabrics look fabulous. I may have to give that dying a try. I have only used alum in my canning to keep my pickles crisp.
Amazing result Natima - very nice!
michelle
Fabulous result Nat, the alum is a mordant that helps the colour bind to the cloth. When you go to the coast you'll be able to dunk your cloths into the sea to mordant them. cheers, kaite
Glorious sunny yellow.
Alum is really useful with flowers and leaves. You don't need a mordant with euclaptus because it has a natural mordant or binding chemical.
All this dying is reminding me of days when we lived in the country.
Oh wow, this is so neat. Now, I have never done any kind of dying, but it does sound so interesting. I am certainly intrigued.
Ehat a lovely colour of yellow!! I haven't don any dying lately, but you sure know how to get me interested.....!! :))
I cann't wait to see what your land comes up with to dye you fabric!
Enjoy, xxxxx, Ria.
Nat I have to say I'm a bit jealous of your weeds! I know how strange! Your dyed fabrics look just wonderful.
G'eve Nat ~ Don't know what the flower is but love what you did with the 'juice' ... gorgeous idea!
Happy Christmas days
TTFN ~ Marydon
What great colour Natima!! Guess what: at our Dutch "Sinterklaas" celebration I got "Eco Colour" as a present !!
(Although winter is not a great time for deying .... but I have to start studying and translating first!!!!)
I am a newbie to your blog and love it! My fingers have been flying all season! My best to you and yours!
Sheila
This is a great tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere.
Simple but very precise info… Many thanks for sharing this one.
A must read post!
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