Yvonnes' Berry Dyeing Techniques

[Quinlonsma]

I was wondering about some dyeing techniques you used. For your blackberry dyed pants, one came out pinkish and one came out brown. You said this was because you used two different techniques. Which techniques did you use and what were the results?

Thanks Oodles!!!

[stormintheattic]

Sorry! Totally forgot to reply to your PM!

The pink is from just dyeing with the cooked down , mashed blackberries, after using a mordant, with the usual vinegar and waiting for the colour to disappear from the bath.

The brown is from roasting (dont know it thats the right translation) or drying the berries in the oven for hours on a very low setting. They shrivel to tiny little brown berries, then cook them, puree them, siv them, cook with the prepared yarn & vinegar, wait until water is clear, then dry.

[Quinlonsma]

OK.. I know, totally new person question, but What is a Mordant? salt?

Thanks again...

[CraftyMommaOf2]

there are lots of mordants...tin, alum, etc. even bark extracts. it's what helps the dye stick by preparing the material for it. like when you soak your yarn in vinegar and water before dyeing.

[Quinlonsma]

OOooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

Cool!

[pmcgary]

Has anyone dyed with Cedar Bark? My SIL brought me some back from her vacation. She knew I liked to dye stuff and she remembered reading that you could dye with it.

It looks like a good amount of work to me for no real guarantee that I will like the results.....

[CraftyMommaOf2]

haven't done it, but i plan to. i found a natural dyeing group and they have much wisdom to impart. :LOL

[RufusBeans]

I think I'll have to stick with onion skins and tea...I don't want to use alum witha babe around.

[stormintheattic]

haven't done it, but i plan to. i found a natural dyeing group and they have much wisdom to impart. :LOL

cool! care 2 share???? the group I mean.

I have a book with recipies for dyeing with bark somewhere. Dont know if cedar is in there as cedar trees arent native to these parts.

[stormintheattic]

haven't done it, but i plan to. i found a natural dyeing group and they have much wisdom to impart. :LOL

cool! care 2 share???? the group I mean.

I have a book with recipies for dyeing with bark somewhere. Dont know if cedar is in there as cedar trees arent native to these parts.

[CraftyMommaOf2]

:roll: leave it to me to forget to link to the group!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NaturalDyes/

[stormintheattic]

thanks!

As for the alumn and other mordants. I use a different kitchen to dye in than to cook in (complex story about 2 appartments made into 1 leaving 2 kitchens). I only ever use the mordants outside however, I take my campingstove out on the balcony and let it simer there.

[RufusBeans]

thanks!

As for the alumn and other mordants. I use a different kitchen to dye in than to cook in (complex story about 2 appartments made into 1 leaving 2 kitchens). I only ever use the mordants outside however, I take my campingstove out on the balcony and let it simer there.

That's a good idea! Hmmm, I think my dh has a camping stove.........