The dyeing bug has bitten. It was my successful pokeberry dyeing experiment that did it. In pouring over my several natural dyeing books, I realized that I have a lot of free dyestuffs growing on our property, and that I'd better get a move-on because fresh plants work best but our growing season is getting late in its offerings. I've missed out on some things, but I still have a lot to experiment with.
One thing I wanted to try was black-eyed susans.
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| Black-eyed Susans, Rudbeckia species |
According to the books, different parts of the plant give different colors. I decided to focus on the flowers, which are said to make an olive green with a sufficiently strong dye bath. That means a high ratio of dyestuff to fiber and giving it long simmering and soaking times. A weak dyebath is said to yield tan. From reading others experiences, however, this all isn't a guarantee, so I'll just have to give it a go and see what I get. The first step (part 1) is to make the dyebath.
Day 1: Making the dyebath (Days 1 - 4)
- Dyebath amounts:
- 1 pound flowers (for half-pound of fiber)
- 1.5 - 2 gallons boiling water
- Pour the boiling water over the flowers and let steep overnight.
- Bring to a full boil
- Boil (not simmer) for one or two hours
- Let cool overnight
- Bring back to a boil
- Simmer for several hours
- Cool overnight
Day 4
- Strain out the flowers
- Ready to dye.
2 comments:
Fascinating Leigh. I would have never thought to use such flowers.
TB, neither would I, except for my natural dyeing books. :)
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