Experimenting with leaves and bark

Hi beautiful

I've had lots of fun playing with natural dyeing and learning heaps as I go. There's so much information out there both in print and on the Internet and so many talented people! 

I'm noting my journey in my daily diary of course! Here are a few highlights so far.

Firstly, dyeing wool yarn.

Wool yarn - showing original and dyed

For my records, I've wound each different yarn on a numbered peg and listed the plant used.

1. Eucalyptus leaves (local park) - used iron nails as the fixing agent or mordant. 5 ply wool crepe yarn - white.
2. Eucalyptus leaves (Advancetown Lake) - no mordant used. 8 ply wool #0
3. Brown onion skins - used iron nails. 8 ply wool #0
4. Basil leaves - used iron nails. 8 ply wool #0
5. Eucalyptus bark (local park) - no mordant. 8 ply wool #0
6. As #5 above with different yarn. 8 ply wool Checkheaton #00
7. Orange peels - no mordant. 8 ply wool #0
8. As #7 above with different yarn. 8 ply wool Checkheaton #00

Wool yarn dyed

Eucalyptus tree - used bark fallen from this burl for #5

Brown onion skins - cotton linen napkin

Lots of fun!

Cara

Eco dyeing

Hi beautiful

Over a month ago I experienced eco dyeing for the first time. The Wild Women Textile Arts Group hosted a workshop facilitated by Wendi Trulson. It was truly wonderful to learn the process and enjoy the colourful results when using silk and paper. I was especially rapt in the warm glow of the eucalyptus leaves dyed into the hot pressed water colour paper - when held up to the light.

Paper dyed with eucalypt leaves

You'll find more photos in my post on the  WWTAG blog

Dupion silk dyed with leaves

Dupion silk dyed with leaves and purple carrot

I just had to further explore the wonders of eco dyeing!

More posts to come as I experiment and have fun, natural dyeing at home.

Cara