Saturday, December 19, 2015

Second eco-dye reveal from November, 2015



Back on November 27, I revealed some eco-dyed fabric.  At that time, I also created another batch.  You can see the entire post here.

Both pieces had been unsuccessfully dyed in the past, this one snow dyed.  I was hoping this time I would have fabric I could work with. 

This piece had been rust dyed in the past, but, for some reason, there was very little rust after the reveal.


This time, instead of other forms of dyeing, like those mentioned above, I put the fabric in a jar of alum water and set the jar in a sunny window in my office, since I was tired of seeing this jar in my kitchen window. 

I allowed these two pieces to sit longer, mainly because there had been practically no sun for several weeks.

I washed these in baking soda water (while wearing disposable gloves) because I had added a couple of rusty tin can lids to each fabric.  These pieces were still wet when I took the photo.  These photos were actually taken a week ago Friday (December 11), the last day it was warm and beautiful.  This was the first chance I've had to share the results.

I still don't like the results I got from the fabric on the right.  I guess it's partly because of the fabric I used.  But I can definitely work with the fabric on the left.  What really impressed me were the marks that were made on both fabrics from the rubber bands.

I really like this technique because there's no cooking or heating the fabric like there is in traditional eco-dyeing.  I also like it because the actual "mess," if you consider a jar of alum water a mess, is contained in a jar of your choice for as many days as you have patience.  There is no chance of mold, because the water covers the fabric, and the alum seems to keep mold away.  I also like this technique because the different types of flowers and leaves produce different effects and rust turns gray, rather than brown from the alum.  This is a great technique for people who live in apartments where they can't leave a pot of leaves and flowers cooking for several hours due to the smell.  I recommend this over traditional eco-dyeing, especially in the event you want to start small.

Thanks for the visit and your continued support of my art and dyeing attempts.

10 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

You have so much patience for doing jobs like this, I am too impatient to wait! The results of the cloth on the left side are really good, and I an looking forward to seeing what you make with it. Have a great day, take care, hugs, Valerie

froebelsternchen said...

I think the left turned out really great! Meanwhile you are a passionate dyer Elizabeth- I like that you have a special eco - dyeing - label on your blog, so we can learn so much from your progress and experiences !
Happy Saturday !!
Looking forward to waht you will do with the fabric!
oxo
Susi

johanna said...

you are right, the left one is really precious! and it sounds good to do smaller pieces without heating. now i must go and look for alum... i also like that the rust turns black with it. the effect Looks so good!
have a great Weekend, elizabeth, and thanks for sharing!

Meggymay said...

I have to agree that the one on the left would be my favourite. You have great dying effects on both pieces, have fun using them both.
Yvonne xx

Carol said...

I love dyeing with rusty thins and haven't deliberately done it in a long while . Last week I sat my wet iron skillet skillet on a paper rag and it gave me a really awesome circular pattern on the towel. I've now used it as a cover on one of my mini journals. :) You'll find something useful to use your new pieces with .

My name is Erika. said...

Like how your dye pieces came out. They will work wonderfully in some other projects. I also like they are eco dyed. Hope its a great weekend so far! Hugs!

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Glad to see your reveal. The one on the right has some interesting shapes even if not an overall success. I'm sure you will find uses for both when inspiration strikes!

Anonymous said...

Cool mark making. Somestimes it's spectacular, sometimes not, but I always find a use for mine somewhere. xox

pearshapedcrafting said...

I do so love seeing the results of your dyeing experiments! The one on the left looks fabulous! Who knows. ..I may try this rusting lark myself one day! Hugs, Chrisx

kathyinozarks said...

I love the one to the left as well