Thursday, September 8, 2011

out of the dyepot: 3 bundles

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.







17 comments:

  1. Hi:

    I 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!

    ReplyDelete
  2. 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...

    ReplyDelete
  3. yes I too like the string effect, shibori with a difference!

    ReplyDelete
  4. So yummy like little candycane flowers!

    ReplyDelete
  5. i like the idea of cloth becoming conscious, sanctioned beings. i just did a bundle, wasn't patient enough. live and learn.

    ReplyDelete
  6. oh yes. me too. conscious cloth. that red and white string really left its impression.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Conscious yes very conscious of the dye bundles. I love the red and white string too! Hugs Nat

    ReplyDelete
  8. More fun! :) I need to remember to make some bundles with rose leaves before they go away for the winter.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lyn, you raise it to a new level!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Nancy, I see them now that you said that!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Cindy, I guess then the waiting time is the gestation period...gotta wait!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Deanna, it feels very alive when it's wearing the plants.

    Hope the fires are put out and you don't have to evacuate.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks, Nat -- it's proving to be a good investment!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Deb, I'm feeling some urgency now, too -- after such a long hot summer, it's gotten -- dare I say -- chilly!

    ReplyDelete
  15. these are wonderful. they make me long for my old dye experiments. there just isn't enough time in the day for it all!

    i love how the ties imparted a special feature of their own, too!

    namaste'

    ReplyDelete
  16. 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

    ReplyDelete
  17. Yes, it is addictive! I just began two weeks ago and keep saying to myself "after this next batch I am going to stop."

    I also think about what to try when I am doing other things. I do love the extra color you achieved in these.

    ReplyDelete