Thursday, April 14, 2011

red wine in the dye-pot

Exactly how many white tops have I ruined with red wine stains, I wonder. I can think of two right off, so the collateral damage from all my wine-drinking days surely comes to six or seven or more.

I just learned there was a way to save those white tops and that was to simply keep on with the red wine.

In the dye-pot.

Who knew?


Red wine dyeing is only one of many techniques in Dyes from Kitchen Produce by Setsuko Ishii. This is not an ordinary book. Not only does she set forth a clear guide to dyeing with kitchen ingredients, she includes individual dye instructions for her sewing, weaving, knitting, and crocheting projects as well as patterns & instructions. The design of this book is well-organized, you always know exactly what page to go to for what and how. It is one of those books you have to read in small doses with two squares of 73% chocolate and a cup of mint tea. It's that wonderful. Take a look, you'll see. Ms. Ishii has also authored two other dye books in Japanese, just FYI.

It was one suggested "just for me" in an Amazon email based on previous book orders. Well, I fell for it and Mr. Amazon, as Nat says, did right by me. So right.


I just happen to have some pinot noir that was very inexpensive (and after tasting it, I know why). And I just happen to have some white silk shantung and some white wool and some white floss. And I wear glasses.


It's meant to be.


18 comments:

  1. Genius. Looks like you have an interesting book there. Have fun with the dye pot!

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  2. stitchinglife, I could go on even more about it but restrained myself! Ha.

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  3. Oh lovely!!!! I'll have to see if I can find a cheap bottle of wine and try this. Do you boil the wine??

    ;~) Debi

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  4. thanks. i just ordered it from the library.

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  5. Hmmm now I knew there was good reaosn for buying red wine in bulk!

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  6. fabulous! i shall have to get a copy of this wondrous book! thank you so much for sharing!

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  7. Wow, Mr Amazon did it again! Thanks so much Peggy for recommended this book. I have to get it too, don't I? I love dyeing from the kitchen and the red wine never go to waste ever again! Hugs Nat

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  8. Debi, I haven't started it yet, but yes, it is heated but not boiled. Get thee to the liquor store!

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  9. Deanna, that's a good way to go. I've been having trouble getting new books from the library here lately -- think it's all the budget cuts.

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  10. Lyn, you're so right. Think of all the fabric you can dye. Of course, there'll be no drinking while doing so.

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  11. Joe, I hope you like it! I just sort of go into that trance state with books like this...

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  12. Nat, yes you do have to get it because our friend, Mr. Amazon, WANTS you to have it! And no red wine should ever be poured down the drain again! xo

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  13. if the process is simple this looks
    like something I'd like to jump into!
    lovely book cover...

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  14. Cristina, it looks simple but I still haven't started it -- last night we drank the wine, we had to, it was the only wine we had in the house! So I need to get some more.

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  15. Let me know how it goes for you!

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  16. Yeah....another experiment! There is always a bit of extra wine for cloth.

    Shishi

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  17. Yes -- will have to always make an offering to the dye-pot from now on!

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