Wednesday, March 30, 2011

rosehip dyeing

Around the time of the last new moon, I noticed some rosehips left on an Eglantine rose bush, Rosa rubiginosa. I'd just read that Eglantine is a good variety to use for dyeing. The rosehips were dried up but I thought it was worth a try as the skins still looked quite red.

Silk organza was layered with the broken-up rosehips and then misted with vinegar.

It was rolled up tightly and fastened with a rubberband, then placed in a sealed plastic bag for two weeks.


When it was unrolled, I brushed the plant matter off and ironed the silk immediately thinking the heat would set any color. Then it was rinsed and dried. The mottled color was a total surprise, so soft and muted. It reminds me of latte art.

Here it is beside the same silk organza dyed with onion skins. I think it's lovely. Just imagine using rosehips in the autumn when they are fresh -- I can't wait to see what color they transfer then! Does anyone know?

Now, I'm going upstairs to make myself a latte!

15 comments:

  1. i love the surprise of revealing the results of something new tried. this one was a definite success. the silk organza died with onion skins is beautiful. never thought of using the onion skins on organza. think that will be one of today's projects with a little secret twist.

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  2. Deanna, oh me too -- it's addictive.
    Thanks and I'll be watching for your results!

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  3. I love the eco printing because it's not real messy and gives such great results! Of course, I'm new to this so I've never tried dyiing with rosehips. You know, maybe I will take that amulet purse if you still have it. It keeps rolling around in my head, and then I thought if I saw it at a thrift store, I would probably come home with it. my e-mail is: rzhs@intouchmi.com. Let me know. Thanks.

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  4. love what the rosehips gave you! i'm wondering if the bundle needed to be boil to give more color?

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  5. do you need the email address to send the little bag, would love to finish it!

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  6. Oh Send it to Herm if she wants it. I was just going to try to take it to play with but she will probably really finish it.

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  7. lovely earthy tone and texture.
    so, ironing makes a difference in
    setting the dye?
    very good to know. is this only with
    silk?
    thank you for sharing!

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  8. Herm, no I didn't boil it although if there had been zero color, I may have tried steaming it with some alum water. I used vinegar as a mordant and the only heat was from the iron.

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  9. OK, Helen, I was just going to suggest a coin toss! Herm, it'll be on its way to you tomorrow morning!!! Thanks to both of you for having interest in it.

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  10. Helen, I feel the same about eco-dyeing -- if I had to mess with chemicals, etc., I'd steer clear of it. But who knows where all this will lead us?

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  11. Cristina, honestly I don't know -- it's all experiential -- here's the first time ironing changed the color for me, again with silk: http://womanwithwingsblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/elder-cloth.html

    In the comments there Nandas from Three Clay Pots says that heat can change things...now I always iron just to see if something happens!!

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  12. I love it Peggy. I always get a surprise visiting you. I did the onion skin dyed too and it was successful, but rosehip there a thought - thanks for sharing - Hugs Nat

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  13. I just read about rose hips as a dye too. I think I've got a few dried ones to try...

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  14. Nat, glad you like it -- you've probably got fresh rosehips right now, don't you?

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