Sunday 13 October 2013

Torn between two loves - at least

Many years ago I used to dye wool and fabric  with natural dyes, gum leaves, onion skins etc. refusing to touch commercial 'colourful' dyes, but that was many years ago. Now I'm torn between the two I love the brilliant colours that can be achieved with the commercial dyes, but also love the thrill when I open a bundle of plant dyed silk. India Flint has mastered this art to perfection over the years and has named it Eco Dyeing, I like to call mine 'Pot Luck' as it does greatly depend on the pot you use and where the water came from. I've had a really bad flu bug this past two weeks and decided to spend Saturday over the eucalyptus dye pot. I'm not sure if it killed any bugs but it certainly helped clear my head. Following are the results.


these are the bundles after steaming




I couldn't wait for more than a day to open them, these are sections of the cloths. I left one unbundled.





these are some of the commercial dyed results, I even dyed some white buttons

I'll be cutting some of these fabrics, laces and doilies up and making colour packs like the ones below to add to my Etsy, as well as using them in current projects.



Finally, this is what I'm working on at present, it's a commissioned piece that will be a concertina book. I'm depicting Monet's garden for the background. There will be many layers.


the background fabric was all shades of green, I've coloured some of the flowers and added free motion leaves and willow branches. I still have to work on the bridge.


my dyed yellow buttons have become flowers, I still have lots more stitching, beading etc to add.

Thanks again for visiting and commenting, I'll try not to take so long before I post again.





19 comments:

Beanie Mouse said...

I really MUST have a go at this one day.....!!

Heather said...

I love all your dye results but have a fondness for natural dyes - the colours really glow. The dyed buttons are a great success.
Your concertina book is going to be beautiful and I'm glad you are shaking off that flu bug.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Beautiful! Those colors are so pretty.

Art4me said...

So soft and beautiful . . . I can almost smell flowers by looking at these. I love them!

Jan said...

Oh my goodness but those eco dye results are fabulous! Your Monet garden will be a wonder to behold by the time it is finished.

wandamarie.blogspot.com said...

LOVING it allllll! you sprung some memories of boiling walnut hulls for dye and husband walked in almost tasting the broth! Loverly post! ;)

Unknown said...

I recently bought India Flints book and it is a cracker. I haven't tried any dyeing yet because I have been besotted with rusting fabrics. Just like India's process there is no way of knowing what you are going to get until you unwrap the goods. Exciting!

Maggi said...

I love the colours that you achieve with the natural dyes. Hope that you flu bug has gone away.

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

Two loves produce beautiful combinations. The clear dyed cloth next to the muted eco dyed is fabulous...one compliments the other. Love the buttons!

Jacky said...

love India Flints work too, the soft subtle colours are gorgeous. Lovely book.

sharon young said...

I love the softer colours of the Eco dyed fabrics and your commission book is looking beautiful.
Sorry to hear you've had such a horrible bug, glad you're getting over it.

Jacqui Galloway said...

Love the dyeing results... especially the buttons!

Unknown said...

How yo are feeling better Ro. The dye results look great! Really very vibrant! I love how Monets garden is shaping up. As always you put the Ro stamp on everything!

Dortesjs said...

waue love all your dye

Jan said...

I can see the most wonderful faces in your eco dyed pieces.

Samantha Marshall said...

Looks fantastic Ro. I hope you're feeling better.

sweetypie said...

ooh, you have been busy, that eucalyptus dyeing looks really exciting, Im dieing to have a go- next spring

Carin Winkelman said...

Gorgeous. I never dyed fabric before, but I'd love to try it someday.

Carolyne said...

the natural dyed fabrics are gorgeous! the bundles look like the fabric is possibly wrapped around something....is that true? or maybe it's just a thick bundle of fabric folded and tied.