I Almost Forgot!

While I was working away on my "Connected" piece yesterday, I had a couple more pieces of silk and a piece of unprimed artist's canvas simmering in the second dye bath made from the ornamental crab leaves.  (Yes, I made two batches from the one gathering of leaves!)  I still have a bit of the bath left for another time.  What was interesting was the results on the silk, compared to the effect of the bark dye bath.

First the silk charmeuse:

Next, the silk habotai:

The bark dye produced a golden colour, while the leaves produced more of a red-brown.  Either way, they're delicious, don't you think?

Oh...and the canvas?  An interesting gathering of dye residue in creases, for a slightly rusted look:

With all this playing around, I have only a small strip of silk to take into my Craftsy class with Jane Dunnewold.  Time to order some more I guess, eh?  Music to this quilter's ears!

And in Other News

I have some more natural dyeing results to report.  :-)

A few days ago I shared a photo of the first batch of leaf-dyed fabric and wool batting I'd tried.  At the same time, I'd tucked away two bundles of silk (one habotai, one charmeuse) wrapped around some of the leaves from that dye bath, secured with heavy picture wire and sprinkled with vinegar.  They'd sat in a sunny window ever since.

This morning I unwrapped and rinsed them, and ironed them dry.

Oh my.

Before I post the photos, let me assure my dear friend arlee that she has no competition from me on this front.  :-)  Here's a photo of a portion of the piece of silk I bought from her Fyberspace Shop recently:

arlee's fabulous fabric (C) 2013 arlee barr

And I thank arlee for the inspiration...I just had to see if I could do it, even on a small scale.  So here's the leaf-wrapped silk charmeuse:

Left edge

Centre

Right edge

And now the leaf-wrapped silk habotai:

Left edge

Centre 

Right edge

I love the effect of the leaves, and the imprint of the rusty bits of wire binding...and just the general texture of each piece.   I know there are tree trunks in there, and perhaps some wintry skies...and who knows what else?  Though Peggy did warn me this could be an addictive practice, our leaves are now under a thick blanket of heavy, wet snow.  Methinks the 'natural' dyeing will be taking place in snow banks in the near future, and the leaves and bark will have to wait till Spring.

Then there is the bark-dyed fabric, now finished and dry:

From dye bath made by soaking and simmering
bark from aging ornamental crab apple tree

Top to bottom: silk charmeuse, silk habotai, some sort of brocade, and two pieces of crinkle cotton.  The silks are the best, with the charmeuse winning the "stunning" competition hands down!

The wool batting is going to be nice too -- more golden than the one dyed in a bath made from the crab apple leaves, but it's still drying:

Bark-dyed wool batting

Then there are two bundles of bark from the bath, wrapped in silk -- one habotai, one charmeuse -- and tied with fresh heavy picture wire, just percolating in the window, waiting for time and sunshine to do their work.

Stay tuned!

Meanwhile, I see the snow has stopped and the sun is peeking through.  Perhaps a little later I'll try to dig a path to my bird feeder so I can replenish it for those feathered few who dare venture out in this weather.

Have a warm and  happy Sunday!

Look closely!  There is a feeder in this tree outside my sewdio!