| Aniline dyes just don't come close to producing the old tones of yester-year. However if you are like me and admire the old needlework of the past the solution is as close as your kitchen. You can duplicate the old colors and tones witn a few supplies and turn yarns or fabrics into an array of colors. If dying wool yarn, its best to use unbleached wool which will be chemical free. If you can't find unbleached wool, use white. Prepare the yarn by washing it with a Tablespoon of ivory soap with a teaspoon of water softner in luke warm water. |
| Copyright © 2003, 2004, 2005 Allison Ray. All rights reserved. Updated March 27, 2005 |
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| The standard rule for handling wool is not to change temperature suddenly. If your wool is warm do not use freezing cold water to rinse it. Different parts of plants produce color you need to know how to use each: Delicate blossoms- reds, blues and purples should be steeped for approx 25 minutes. Yellow & Orange flowers- like marigolds and zinnias should be simmered bor 35 minutes and thier leaves for about an hour and 10 min. Wood, bark, nuts, twigs and roots should soak overnight and then boil for 1 hour Berries are mached then simmer for 25 minutes or set overnight to ferment. Recipes: Spinach Leaves and Stems- 1 Cup, Alum, light yellow green simmer for 45 minutes Red and Yellow Onion Skins- 1 Cup loose, alum for solf colors, tin for bright colors add 3/8 tsp ammonia at end. Tea- 1/2 cup used tea leaves, no mordant. Add and iron nail for grays and browns. Boil 15 min Rhubarb Leaves- about 20 alum gives yellows, tin bright orange (*Rhubarb leaves are Heavy in toxic oxalic acid- carefull) Carrot Tops- 1 cup shopped boil for 30 minutes Cranberries- 1 cup, alum- can crush with a little water and soak for 8 hours to get a beautiful pink. Blueberries- 1 pint- begin at 5-10 minutes soaking at a time- add amonia go get green colors Black berries 3-30 minutes |
| Natural fabric dye recipe- Old fabrics and embroideries have an irrestible charm. Why? We are drawn to the "old" colors. |
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