About a month ago, three cotton and silk bundles were rolled up with pink rose and blue larkspur petals -- and also mushrooms, blueberries and avocado skins intended for the compost pile. Bundled tightly, they were steamed for 20 minutes three days in a row, drying out in between. Then out to the garden under the elements to wait out time.
It's always fun to open a dye bundle. The little silk is my favorite but they each hold lovely energy. After cloth is dyed, it begins to feel like it's almost conscious, doesn't it? And nowadays, avocado parts are immediately added to a bag in the freezer instead of the compost.
Hi:
ReplyDeleteI just began to follow your blog regularly. I, too, am experimenting with ecodyeing. Yours turned out great and I especially like the pretty string that you used and that it made its own impression!
Hi Diana! It's really addictive, isn't it? I love this process and also then using it in my cloth projects. Yes, that string transfers very nicely, and still it looks like it hasn't lost much! Am going to give it another go...
ReplyDeleteyes I too like the string effect, shibori with a difference!
ReplyDeleteSo yummy like little candycane flowers!
ReplyDeletei like the idea of cloth becoming conscious, sanctioned beings. i just did a bundle, wasn't patient enough. live and learn.
ReplyDeleteoh yes. me too. conscious cloth. that red and white string really left its impression.
ReplyDeleteConscious yes very conscious of the dye bundles. I love the red and white string too! Hugs Nat
ReplyDeleteMore fun! :) I need to remember to make some bundles with rose leaves before they go away for the winter.
ReplyDeleteLyn, you raise it to a new level!
ReplyDeleteNancy, I see them now that you said that!
ReplyDeleteCindy, I guess then the waiting time is the gestation period...gotta wait!
ReplyDeleteDeanna, it feels very alive when it's wearing the plants.
ReplyDeleteHope the fires are put out and you don't have to evacuate.
Thanks, Nat -- it's proving to be a good investment!
ReplyDeleteDeb, I'm feeling some urgency now, too -- after such a long hot summer, it's gotten -- dare I say -- chilly!
ReplyDeletethese are wonderful. they make me long for my old dye experiments. there just isn't enough time in the day for it all!
ReplyDeletei love how the ties imparted a special feature of their own, too!
namaste'
Thanks, Joe -- I think what takes the most time with dyeing is the deciding part -- choosing which plant material with what cloth! Sometimes I find myself thinking about it as I'm falling asleep...xo
ReplyDeleteYes, it is addictive! I just began two weeks ago and keep saying to myself "after this next batch I am going to stop."
ReplyDeleteI also think about what to try when I am doing other things. I do love the extra color you achieved in these.