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Natural Dye Results






Soft, subtle colors resulted from last week's dyeing.  Both were mordanted with alum and given a vinegar after bath.  The cotton was mordanted in a tannin solution of sumac leaves.

Top two photos:  Devil's Paint Brush yielded warmer, yellowish brown tones
100% wool yarn
100% wool sweater scraps
100% cotton muslin

Bottom two photos:  Yarrow leaves yielded a cooler shade of yellow, more towards the side of green.

100% wool yarn
100% wool sweater scrap
100% cotton muslin

I can't wait to try other plants!  What's your favorite plant dye to use?


8 comments

  1. kristinJuly 2, 2013 at 9:50 PM

    I really love how easy it is to dye with black walnut, no mordant necessary. Also love beet greens, elderberries and onion skins. It's always fun to try new plants from the backyard.

    I'm loving your golden summer palette.

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  2. prettydreamerJuly 3, 2013 at 5:32 AM

    so pretty! love the soft palette!

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  3. AnonymousJuly 3, 2013 at 9:38 AM

    Beautiful results! Love the soft yellows and green.

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  4. UnknownJuly 3, 2013 at 8:04 PM

    Oh! So nice!! I have to figure out how to dye yarn like yours. Picking flowers and bring the color into yarn!! how cool is't that?!

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  5. a little crafty nestJuly 6, 2013 at 12:17 AM

    Ohhhhhhh, every time I peek in here, I remember why I want to come back! I also am a plant-dyeing, fibre-loving spinner. Currently I have an iron mordant sitting til next week...I'm a wee nervous about this because I have heard that iron can eat away at your animal fibres a bit ~ do you know? I also am about to harvest my fennel, purposely planted for dyeing. I began a dye garden this year with lots of different things...experimenting is such fun! Someone above mentioned elderberries, but I had thought they weren't that colour fast, so I haven't dyed with them yet. My favourite is tansy, though, overdyed with indigo. The greens are amazing! Okay, I could go on and on and I'd love to hear more ideas from you...
    xo Jules

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    Replies
    1. The Sitting TreeJuly 7, 2013 at 12:19 AM

      Hi Jules! I'm so glad you made it back. :) I have found that iron made my fibers weak and my superwash sticky, but I may have used too much alum mordant with that one too. I'd try it with a mini skein first and see how it goes. It looks like fennel yields a nice green color, I may have to give that one a try, too. I love experimenting so much! Yes, berries are usually not color fast, as they create a stain and not a dye. I tried blackberries on 5 yards of cotton once ( to make a dress for my cousin's wedding) and achieved a lovely gray, but it faded after a few days. I'd much rather eat my berries. :) Oh, the tried and true tansy. It always gives good results, doesn't it. Have you tried Japanese Indigo? I'd love to try growing some next year? I could go on forever, too....

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  6. Taryn Kae WilsonJuly 6, 2013 at 3:03 PM

    Liz,
    Those colors are so pretty!
    I've dyed with black walnut and henna. I'm looking forward to branching out. :)

    Love,
    Taryn

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    Replies
    1. The Sitting TreeJuly 7, 2013 at 12:21 AM

      Thanks, Taryn. I can't wait to try black walnut, but first I have to find someone with a tree! Henna would be fun, too. I'm adding it to my list. :)

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