Acorns make a nice brown color on cloth. So happy that there are others around with all this information--namely
Jude and
India. And I also learned that the inner part of the acorn is edible and that there is such a thing as acorn flour.
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| acorns and some cloth in a stainless steel pot |
I let the acorns sit in the water (preferably rain water if it rains where you live) for one week. Then I heated up the brew to a simmer and dropped in the cloth. I simmered for about 2 hours and just let the pot sit for about 24 hours. Some of the cloth is still in the pot but here are a few pieces already washed and ironed.
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| silk with some shibori stitching |
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| silk that was previously bundled with eucalyptus leaves and then dropped in the acorn brew |
I made a basket a few weeks ago. I made it very plain because I want to decorate it somehow with cloth or lace or....haven't really decided yet. But before I do that I wanted to darken it some so I prepared a tea brew and left it in the bucket for about 30 minutes on each side. I like the color.
Now to decide how to decorate it. Any suggestions?
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| before and after the tea dye |
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| didn't want to waste the tea dye so I dropped in some cloth and twill tape |
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In my
last post I told you about Jude's Magic Feather Project. Well, she has posted about it on her
blog and is even offering a FREE Whispering Feathers Workshop. You can read about the project and the free workshop on her
blog. Check it out. It's a worthwhile charitable event and you will love the workshop. You might also want to read
this. It is about the effect cloth has on children.
16 comments:
wonderful cloth! i always love your experiments and your fearless forging ahead! :)
oh...and by the way...acorn pancakes are simply delicious!! i fondly remember these from boy scouts days...
Wish I could send you some of our rainwater. I love the results of the dyeing so far. Beautiful soft color.
Been busy all day working for a bookseller friend making library covers - tedious and satisfying -like folding fresh laundry, but not creative. What a loverly brown those acorns grow....and your basket is masterful. How I wish it would rain on you and the dear frogs and all.
I knew about acorn flour & that it was edible & that you could dye with them but had not seen the results. Beautiful shades! I have an oak tree in the front. Maybe I should try to collect the acorns before the squirrels get to them!
Hi Deanna .. I love the acorn brown color that you get .. it's really a nice golden brown which I love!!! I don't have acorns .. boo hoo... and as for the basket .. I had a thought.. Maybe weave some of your beautiful fabrics into the basket somehow .. or around the top.. thats about the only thing that came to mind.. or maybe just line it with one of your lovely cloths. ... something to go with that lovely tea stain color !!!
Your acorn dye turned out great. I'm happy with mine too. I also have more sitting in the pot. That basket is to 'dye' for. Did you know you can use acorn to dye the basket too! I dye with indigo once (procion indigo) - Hugs
Nat
TFS - Love the acorn information. Need to collect some. I checked out Judy's magic feather project and about its effect on children, really inspirational.
Are the feathers to be made in a particular way. What size cloth? I have been working on sewing 250 individual feathers for my Ezekiel quilt. This looks like fun for a good cause.
So much to see this post. I love your acorn dyeing...especially that shibori stitched piece. The colour is a lovely soft brown isnt it? I am going to have to seek out an acorn tree.
I have found an oak tree nearby, so any tips on dyeing with that would be muchly appreciated.
Love your little basket and look forward to seeing it with some fabric embellishing.
Jacky xox
I love the colour you have brewed here Deanna...as for the basket. what about weaving rags through it? (you could use a bodkin)
Ooooh, have to go find some acorns!
Your dyeing experiments give such interests shades. I've got eucalyptus trees up the street--think I'll give it a shot. Thanks for the inspiration.
best, nadia
I'm waiting for the walnuts to fall to give this kind of dyeing a try. love the color you got.
acorns are edible but they taste terrible.
thanks to all of you for your comments. hope you'll give the eco-dyeing a try if you haven't already. feel free to ask any questions.
I'll tell you right now, I 'thunk' you are
amazing. Baskets, too! OMG. I love them!
Do you ever sell any of your baskets??? hint.
Deanna, thank you for the article on children and fabric. that one, i saved. i recognized a few of the
artists work, all their hearts in the right place.
"rain, rain,
go to Texas.
brake the hex(es) and
GO TO TEXAS".
xoxoxoxo
Fabulous soft browns. :o)
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