Thursday, October 18, 2012

out of two dye-pots: bindweed






Many bindweed vines, Convulvulus arvensis, were gathered to make a big batch of dye-bath (the same way as last summer, except I used a stainless-steel pot instead of aluminum for the first step of simmering). The strained dye-bath was then divided between two other pots -- one rusty iron, one stainless steel. I immersed identical fibers -- silks, wool, cotton (pre-mordanted in soy milk) and linen -- put the lids on the pots and waited two months. 

Dark and light. The dark reminds me of a thunderstorm. The cotton dinner napkin in the top left portends a whole set, so as to make use of all our stained white napkins. I'm thinking -- would white dinner napkin qualify as an oxymoron?

Next summer is looking very hopeful for the bindweed deva around here, I may even water her.

Thanks for visiting and happy weekending.  xo


color alert: Well, things changed. The iron pot cloths were that amazing color of blueish slate for approximately a day and a half, even after drying. And now have faded to the point that there is barely a trace of a thunderstorm left. So sad. But still quite lovely -- the markings, the rusting, and some color remains -- the dinner napkin project goes on. I'll post a photo soon. I'm wondering if I should have done something differently? The golds from the stainless steel pot are strong, maybe even stronger.


11 comments:

  1. I stay away from blog reading a couple of days and come back to an abundance of activity! Your cloths are gorgeous!!! I did no dyeing this summer, but next year I may have to cultivate the bind weed. Thanks for sharing your process and have a beautiful weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  2. beautiful, love the two side by side.
    & yes about white dinner napkins, tablecloths & i feel the same about white furniture, but maybe that's because i live w/boys.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love the thunderstorm!
    And Cindy, I haven't worn white pants in years...same thing, sorta?!

    ReplyDelete
  4. did the blue cloth start out blue? Or did the rusty iron turn the bindwood blue?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Amazing colors bindweed give you. I love the blueish one from the rusty pot. I have seen bindweed around must try it one day, but left for two month. I'm impressed, what patient! Have a great weekend to you too - Hugs Nat

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a contrast... I love both of the colours and cant believe you got that blue from bindweed (will have to keep an eye out for it here).

    Jacky xox

    ReplyDelete
  7. What magic an old rusty pot can perform, blue from bindweed! Your fabric is beautiful (both colors).

    ReplyDelete
  8. i was thinking the same question Ms. posted. bindweed is said to give green but i love that you got blue.

    ReplyDelete
  9. i love to see your colors.....and hear from whence they came.


    thank you, for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  10. absolutely glorious colors! both for their own reasons...though i am truly in lust with those blues!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks, everyone, for your comments -- the slate color has changed. I've made a notation up in my post.

    Michelle, all of the fabrics were white or cream or natural.

    ReplyDelete