Friday, November 22, 2013

a leafy picture story

 
                                   
A picture story of two leafy dye bundles -- serviceberry, pear, plum, rose and lunaria leaves on silk and wool. I know neither fiber needs a mordant but I soaked the wool anyway for about a half hour in hot water and a smidgen of alum. The same leaves were placed on each cloth, although not in the same order, which I should've done, darn it. But the photos will help to compare the outcomes.

The bundles were steamed with the leftover alum water for an hour, then placed in plastic bags under a pile of books (this tip is from Kathy) for about a week. They spent a few days outside to dry out a little and today was the day -- the kitchen smells very ripe if you know what I mean.

Amazing, maybe the best outcome I've ever achieved with leaves. After a few more days, I'll iron them. And after that, well, it's a mystery.

Thanks for visiting and happy weekending. I might look for more leaves when the snow melts. xo

P.S. I realized my photos of the wool outcome were of the underside of the cloth, so I've taken and added one more picture -- the third photo of the wool outcome is of the right side. What a difference. Just got too excited, I guess.

                                         

11 comments:

  1. Every time I swear off leaf dyeing, I see amazing results on someone's blog. Gorgeous! What color did the lunaria impart? Have fun incorporating your beautiful fabric into a project. Happy weekend!!! Snow? I thought it was bad here, but at least the sun is shining. Low last two nights was 10 degrees and it isn't even winter! Uff da!

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  2. I love that ripe smell from steaming leaves for dyeing. Have you looked at Nat's blog, she has some amazing and beautiful results from her latest dyeing with leaves and cochineal bugs.

    Summery humid, damp and cloudy here...garden is growing like a jungle.

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  3. under a pile of books...never heard that one before. beautiful results and such pretty leaves.

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  4. Nice results Peggy! I admire that you waited a week...do you think it was having a long wait, or the alum, that made the results better?

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  5. I too keep saying I'm done w/ dying as I don't care for my results...then I get inspired!
    Love the leaf mummies and the results.
    Cold (for SoCal) and windy here. Rain has stopped.

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  6. A beautiful picture story with a happy ending! Thanks for the book tip.

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  7. Unbelievable results! Really wonderful. Love the process photos.

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  8. Great results Peggy! I always get good result dyeing with wool. Autumn leaves are the best. Don't you just love the speckles you get from falling leaves? Hugs Nat

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  9. The results are beautiful!! What leaves do you think gave you the blue?

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  10. Thanks, everyone. I've learned a lot from many of you! Suzanna, you know I think it was a combination of alum and time. Now that's it's snowed here and the leaves will have been wet on the ground for so long, I probably won't be able to try it without the alum. This always happens, when it gets cold I want to eat salad and dye and walk barefoot outside. ;) Kathy, I haven't compared the photos yet to find out what gave what, but I will. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

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  11. Jeannie, the lunaria gave a light green -- pretty.

    Nanette, yes, Nat has great dyeing outcomes on her blog. She's one of my gurus!

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