Dyeing fabric using turmeric: a follow-up

For those of you who missed Thursday's monthly tutorial where I dyed white bed sheets using turmeric, you can review it here.

As promised, this is the follow-up to that original post, where this time I used a stainless steel pot and cooked the turmeric/alum mixture on the stove.  I first heated the mixture to boiling, then added the fabric and thread.  I reduced the heat and allowed the items in the pot to simmer for about 45 minutes.

Once the pot was cool, I removed the fabric and thread from the pot.

Then I began to unwrap everything.

Imagine my surprise

when I realized the turmeric had still not dissolved!  That was a lesson I had not expected.

My art friend CJ asked why I didn't use rubber bands instead of string to tie my fabric the first time.  The truth was, I didn't have many rubber bands.  In fact, I only found one and stretched it as far as it would go.  I was also worried the rubber might either soften or break when heated.  Luckily, neither of these things happened.

The thread was already this beautiful color when I added it to the dye bath.

I saw no appreciable difference between the thread before and after I placed it in the heated dye bath.  So, another thing I learned was, you do NOT need heat for this process to work.

Next, it was time to wash and unwrap

the remaining pieces I had dyed.

One thing I forgot to mention was, I placed three can lids inside the lace wrapped fabric that I held in place with a clothes pin.  Even the lids took on a lovely yellow color.  Be sure you use a can opener that doesn't leave a sharp edge on the lids, though.

As I was unfolding the fabric, I noticed the colors on this carpet ad.  How ironic they should be mainly in the yellow and orange family.  I'm so glad I used these old pages from a 1972 supplement to the daily newspaper.

I guess you can tell I was enamored with the beautiful color I got from this originally white thread.  Only time and use will tell if the color permeated through to the plastic core.

The lace was beautiful, and only slightly mottled.  The part that didn't receive the dye was under the clothes pin.

All of the pieces took the dye well, but I could tell

the lace took the dye best.

Of course, I was really pleased with

the fabric I tied off with the rubber band.

What is it about turmeric and flying bugs that attract them to this color or scent?  Different day, different bug.  Same attraction.

Please enjoy the fruits of my labor.

It was harder to capture their beauty once they had dried because

the wind had the final say yesterday.

Even dry, they were a stunning yellow.  And mottled, too!

After I gathered the pieces and folded them, I was walking back to my porch when I saw movement.  Of course, I had my camera (and my fabric) in my hand

so I quickly zoomed in on my visitor.

Can spring be far behind, now?

Thanks for joining me for this promised update on turmeric dyed fabric, lace, and thread.   I hope you learned as much as I did.  I'll add this to my tutorials under turmeric dyeing update.

What I learned:

1) You don't need heat for turmeric to permeate fabric.

2) Turmeric NEVER completely dissolves.

3) Results will depend on the type of fabric you dye.

4) Mottling takes place best when the fabric goes in the dye bath dry and how you fold the fabric.

Again, I am incredibly grateful for your visits, comments, and questions which I will ALWAYS answer on YOUR blog.